riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Clark County Disaster Risk

Clark County, Ohio

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

77th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#17

of 88 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

84th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Clark County, Ohio

Clark County faces moderate disaster risk

Clark County's composite risk score of 77.10 exceeds the national average, placing it in the "Relatively Low" but still elevated risk category. This reflects meaningful exposure to multiple natural hazards that warrant attention from residents and planners.

Above-average risk for Ohio

Clark County scores 77.10, significantly above Ohio's state average of 55.03, ranking it among the state's higher-risk counties. This elevated position reflects particular vulnerability to tornado and flood events.

Riskier than most surrounding areas

Clark County's score of 77.10 exceeds Clinton County (34.00) and Coshocton County (49.08), placing it among the riskier counties in its region. Only Clermont County (77.86) and Columbiana County (69.05) approach similar risk levels.

Tornadoes and floods are primary threats

Clark County faces tornado risk of 82.32 and flood risk of 84.16—both substantially elevated compared to state averages. Earthquake risk (78.78) is also concerning, though wildfire risk remains manageable at 25.03.

Add flood and storm protection now

Clark County residents should secure comprehensive homeowner's insurance that specifically covers tornado, hail, and flood damage. A designated safe room and updated emergency contact plan can save lives during severe weather events.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Clark County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    84th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    82th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    79th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Clark County

Risk Verdict

At the 77th percentile nationally, Clark County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in Clark County.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Clark County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 84th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 82th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (79th percentile), hurricane (40th percentile), wildfire (25th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Clark County's dominant hazard is flooding, ranked at the 84th percentile nationally. In addition to flood insurance, residents should identify their nearest evacuation shelter and store key documents in waterproof containers. Secondary tornado exposure at the 82th percentile adds a second preparedness layer; households should review coverage options and alert sign-up for both hazard types. Clark County's county emergency management office publishes hazard-specific guidance tailored to local conditions; bookmarking that resource and the county's alert system is a practical first step for any household.

Regional Context

Clark County falls 22.1 points above Ohio's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.

Is your household prepared for Clark County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Clark County, OH?
Clark County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 77th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Clark County?
Clark County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (84th percentile), tornado (82th percentile), earthquake (79th percentile), hurricane (40th percentile), wildfire (25th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 84th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Clark County risk compare to the Ohio average?
Clark County's composite risk percentile is 77th, compared to the Ohio state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Clark County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Ohio.
Is Clark County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Clark County's flooding risk is at the 84th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Clark County higher risk than average?
Clark County's composite risk score of 77th percentile is above the Ohio state average of 55th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by flooding exposure (84th percentile), along with tornado and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.