riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Erie County Disaster Risk

Erie County, Ohio

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

61th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#38

of 88 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

72th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Erie County

Risk Verdict

Erie County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 61th 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 Erie County, scoring in the 78th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 72th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (62th), hurricane (50th), wildfire (23th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Erie 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 flood 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

Erie County is significantly riskier than the average county in Ohio. Its composite risk score is 6.3 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Erie County, OH?
Erie County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 61th 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 Erie County?
Erie County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (78th percentile), flooding (72th percentile), earthquake (62th percentile), hurricane (50th percentile), wildfire (23th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 78th 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 Erie County risk compare to the Ohio average?
Erie County's composite risk percentile is 61th, compared to the Ohio state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Erie County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Ohio.
Is Erie County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Erie County's tornado risk is at the 78th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Erie County is at the 72th 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.
Why is Erie County higher risk than average?
Erie County's composite risk score of 61th percentile is above the Ohio state average of 55th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (78th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Richland County

Ohio

-0.0

Relatively Low

61th percentile

Miami County

Ohio

+0.0

Relatively Low

61th percentile

Marion County

Ohio

-0.3

Relatively Low

61th 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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