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

Darke County Disaster Risk

Darke County, Ohio

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

53th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#50

of 88 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

60th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% 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 80% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Darke County, Ohio

Darke County moderately below national risk

Darke County scores 52.67 on the composite risk scale, earning a 'Relatively Low' rating that reflects moderate disaster exposure. While slightly below the national average, the county still faces meaningful risks across multiple hazard types.

Below-average risk for southwest Ohio

At 52.67, Darke County scores just slightly below Ohio's state average of 55.03, indicating relatively moderate risk in state context. The county's profile reflects typical exposure patterns for rural southwest Ohio communities.

Moderate risk among western peers

Darke County (52.67) faces higher risk than nearby Fayette County (25.89) and Defiance County (41.89), but lower risk than surrounding Delaware County (78.75). The county's position in the regional risk spectrum reflects its mixed geographic and demographic characteristics.

Tornado and earthquake threats dominate

Tornado risk (81.81) and earthquake risk (80.12) represent Darke County's most significant natural disaster concerns, both scoring in the high range. Flood risk (60.11) poses a secondary threat, while wildfire risk (12.31) remains minimal.

Prioritize tornado and earthquake readiness

Darke County residents should build or designate a basement safe room rated for tornado winds and secure heavy furniture and appliances for earthquake safety. Consider earthquake insurance as a supplemental policy, alongside standard homeowners coverage and flood insurance for vulnerable properties.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Darke County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    82th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    80th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    60th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Darke County

Risk Verdict

At the 53th percentile nationally, Darke County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Darke County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Darke County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 82th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 80th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (60th percentile), hurricane (38th percentile), wildfire (12th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Darke County's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 82th percentile nationally. In Darke County, mobile homes and manufactured housing face significantly higher tornado risk than site-built structures; residents in these homes should identify the nearest permanent community shelter in advance. Alongside tornado exposure, earthquake at the 80th percentile nationally means Darke County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when Darke County residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to Darke County households.

Regional Context

At 2.4 points from the Ohio county mean, Darke County's overall disaster risk profile is close to typical for this state, with no dramatic deviation in either direction.

Is your household prepared for Darke 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 Darke County, OH?
Darke County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 53th 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 Darke County?
Darke County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (82th percentile), earthquake (80th percentile), flooding (60th percentile), hurricane (38th percentile), wildfire (12th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 82th 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 Darke County risk compare to the Ohio average?
Darke County's composite risk percentile is 53th, compared to the Ohio state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Darke County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Ohio.
Is Darke County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Darke County's tornado risk is at the 82th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Darke County is at the 60th 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 Darke County a safe place to live?
Darke County's composite risk score of 53th 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 tornado at the 82th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Meigs County

Ohio

+0.3

Relatively Low

53th percentile

Logan County

Ohio

+0.5

Relatively Low

53th percentile

Hancock County

Ohio

+1.4

Relatively Low

54th percentile

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.

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