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

Crawford County Disaster Risk

Crawford County, Ohio

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

35th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#67

of 88 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

52th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 3% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Crawford County, Ohio

Crawford County's disaster risk profile

Crawford County scores 35.24 on the composite risk scale, earning a 'Very Low' rating—well below the national average. This places the county among Ohio's safer communities when it comes to natural disaster vulnerability overall.

Safest risks in Ohio's northwest

At 35.24, Crawford County's risk score sits significantly lower than Ohio's state average of 55.03. The county ranks favorably compared to most Ohio counties, reflecting relatively modest exposure across multiple hazard types.

Comparison with surrounding counties

Crawford County's risk profile (35.24) is comparable to nearby Defiance County (41.89) and considerably lower than neighboring Delaware County (78.75). Among its peer counties in northwest Ohio, Crawford remains one of the lowest-risk areas.

Earthquakes and floods pose greatest threats

Earthquake risk (52.00) and flood risk (51.91) represent Crawford County's most significant natural disaster concerns. While both scores remain moderate in absolute terms, tornado risk (42.05) is the third area residents should monitor, though it ranks lower than state averages.

Secure your property against water damage

Given flood and earthquake risks, homeowners should prioritize comprehensive flood insurance and ensure their property is properly grounded and braced. Standard homeowners policies don't cover flood damage, making a separate flood policy essential protection for Crawford County residents.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Crawford County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    52th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    52th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    42th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Crawford County

Risk Verdict

Crawford County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 35th percentile nationally. Even at the 35th percentile, Crawford County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Crawford County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 52th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 52th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (42th percentile), hurricane (36th percentile), wildfire (3th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 52th percentile nationally for earthquake exposure, Crawford County households benefit from practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On — the protocol that minimizes injury during shaking. Getting under a sturdy table or desk and holding on until shaking stops is the key action. Alongside earthquake exposure, Crawford County's flood risk at the 52th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Building age matters for earthquake risk in Crawford County: structures built before local seismic code adoption are statistically more vulnerable. Contacting the local building department about retrofit programs can reveal whether your structure qualifies for mitigation assistance.

Regional Context

Crawford County falls 19.8 points below Ohio's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Crawford 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 Crawford County, OH?
Crawford County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 35th 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 Crawford County?
Crawford County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (52th percentile), flooding (52th percentile), tornado (42th percentile), hurricane (36th percentile), wildfire (3th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 52th 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 Crawford County risk compare to the Ohio average?
Crawford County's composite risk percentile is 35th, compared to the Ohio state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Crawford County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Ohio.
Is Crawford County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Crawford County's earthquake risk is at the 52th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Crawford County is at the 52th 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 Crawford County a safe place to live?
Crawford County's composite risk score of 35th 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 52th 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.