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

Clinton County Disaster Risk

Clinton County, Ohio

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

34th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#68

of 88 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

45th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Clinton County, Ohio

Clinton County has low natural disaster risk

Clinton County's composite risk score of 34.00 sits well below the national average, earning a "Very Low" disaster risk designation. This favorable position reflects reduced exposure to most major natural hazards.

Well below Ohio's average

Clinton County scores 34.00 against Ohio's state average of 55.03, placing it firmly in the lower-risk tier of Ohio counties. Residents enjoy substantially more favorable natural disaster exposure than the statewide norm.

Among the region's safest counties

Clinton County's 34.00 score is lower than Coshocton County (49.08) and marginally higher than Champaign County (26.75). This positioning makes it one of the most secure communities in its region.

Earthquake and tornado are modest concerns

Clinton County's highest hazards are earthquake risk (65.43) and tornado risk (55.50), both remaining below state medians. Flood risk (44.66) and hurricane risk (35.34) pose minimal threat.

Standard insurance provides solid protection

Clinton County's low-risk profile means standard homeowner's insurance covers most scenarios without specialized add-ons. Maintaining a basic emergency kit and knowing your community's weather alert systems ensures readiness.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Clinton County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    65th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    56th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    45th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Clinton County

Risk Verdict

At the 34th percentile nationally, Clinton County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Being ranked at the 34th percentile nationally is an advantage for Clinton County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Clinton County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 65th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 56th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (45th percentile), hurricane (35th percentile), wildfire (9th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Clinton County ranks at the 65th percentile nationally for earthquake risk. Unlike most natural hazards, earthquakes provide no advance warning; preparedness here means structural adjustments and a practiced response, not alert monitoring. Alongside earthquake exposure, Clinton County's tornado risk at the 56th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. For earthquake preparedness, Clinton County's county emergency management office often maintains a list of community water supply points, Red Cross shelter locations, and post-quake assistance programs — useful resources to identify before an event occurs.

Regional Context

A composite score 21.0 points below the Ohio state average puts Clinton County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Clinton 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 Clinton County, OH?
Clinton County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 34th 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 Clinton County?
Clinton County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (65th percentile), tornado (56th percentile), flooding (45th percentile), hurricane (35th percentile), wildfire (9th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 65th 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 Clinton County risk compare to the Ohio average?
Clinton County's composite risk percentile is 34th, compared to the Ohio state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Clinton County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Ohio.
Is Clinton County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Clinton County's earthquake risk is at the 65th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Clinton County is at the 45th percentile.
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.
Is Clinton County a safe place to live?
Clinton County's composite risk score of 34th percentile is below the Ohio state average of 55th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is earthquake at the 65th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.