riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

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 Advisory: Darke County

Risk Verdict

Darke County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 53th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Darke County, scoring in the 82th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 80th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (60th), hurricane (38th), wildfire (12th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Darke County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as earthquake also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Darke County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Ohio. Its composite risk score is within 2.4 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of Ohio as a whole.

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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 Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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