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

Defiance County Disaster Risk

Defiance County, Ohio

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

42th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#63

of 88 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

59th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Defiance County, Ohio

Defiance County among Ohio's safest

Defiance County scores 41.89 on the composite risk scale, earning a 'Very Low' rating well below national averages. The county's disaster exposure remains manageable across most hazard categories.

Well below state risk averages

At 41.89, Defiance County's risk score sits significantly lower than Ohio's state average of 55.03. The county ranks among Ohio's safer communities, reflecting its rural location and limited exposure to major hazard zones.

Low risk compared to regional peers

Defiance County (41.89) presents lower disaster risk than nearby Erie County (61.35) and considerably lower than adjacent Delaware County (78.75). Only Fayette County (25.89) and Crawford County (35.24) pose less risk among northwest Ohio counties.

Tornadoes and floods warrant attention

Tornado risk (63.71) and flood risk (59.35) represent Defiance County's primary natural disaster concerns. Earthquake risk (52.64) ranks third, while wildfire risk (6.90) remains negligible and hurricane risk (27.03) poses minimal threat.

Standard precautions provide solid protection

Defiance County residents should maintain comprehensive homeowners insurance and flood coverage for vulnerable properties near water bodies. A designated safe room or basement shelter for tornado protection is a worthwhile investment given the county's moderate tornado risk.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Defiance County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    64th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    59th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    53th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Defiance County

Risk Verdict

Defiance County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 42th percentile nationally. Defiance County's 42th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Defiance County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 64th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 59th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (53th percentile), hurricane (27th percentile), wildfire (7th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado risk is Defiance County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 64th percentile nationally. For Defiance County households, the most protective action available is identifying a reinforced interior room on the lowest floor — a bathroom, closet, or central hallway away from windows. The secondary flood hazard at the 59th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Defiance County's preparedness calendar, since flood and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. A battery-powered NOAA All Hazards weather radio with an auto-alert tone is the highest-leverage single item for tornado preparedness in Defiance County, since it delivers warnings even when power is out and phone networks are congested.

Regional Context

The Ohio county average exceeds Defiance County's score by 13.1 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Defiance 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 Defiance County, OH?
Defiance County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 42th 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 Defiance County?
Defiance County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (64th percentile), flooding (59th percentile), earthquake (53th percentile), hurricane (27th percentile), wildfire (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 64th 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 Defiance County risk compare to the Ohio average?
Defiance County's composite risk percentile is 42th, compared to the Ohio state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Defiance County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Ohio.
Is Defiance County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Defiance County's tornado risk is at the 64th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Defiance County is at the 59th 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 Defiance County a safe place to live?
Defiance County's composite risk score of 42th 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 64th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Auglaize County

Ohio

-0.1

Very Low

42th percentile

Pike County

Ohio

+1.2

Relatively Low

43th percentile

Highland County

Ohio

+1.3

Relatively Low

43th 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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