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

Harrison County Disaster Risk

Harrison County, Ohio

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

11th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#88

of 88 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

27th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Harrison County, Ohio

Harrison County is exceptionally safe

With a composite risk score of 11.42, Harrison County ranks among the lowest-risk counties in the nation and dramatically outperforms Ohio's 55.03 state average. This very low rating reflects minimal exposure to most major natural disaster types.

Ohio's safest county overall

Harrison County's 11.42 composite score makes it the safest county in Ohio by a significant margin. This exceptional rating means residents enjoy lower natural disaster risk than virtually any other Ohioans.

Dramatically safer than surrounding counties

Harrison County's 11.42 score far outpaces all nearby counties: Hardin (24.43), Henry (33.81), Highland (43.19), and Hocking (47.30). Its position as Ohio's safest county makes it a notable outlier in its region.

All hazards remain well below average

Even Harrison County's highest-scoring risks—hurricane (34.75) and earthquake (23.79)—sit below state averages. Flood (27.32), tornado (18.23), and wildfire (16.95) risks are all minimal, making this truly one of America's safest counties.

Standard homeowners insurance provides solid protection

Residents of Harrison County can rely on basic homeowners coverage as a foundation of preparedness. A simple emergency kit and a conversation with your insurance agent about any optional coverage ensures you're protected without overextending.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Harrison County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    35th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    27th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    24th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Harrison County

Risk Verdict

Harrison County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 11th percentile nationally. Being ranked at the 11th percentile nationally is an advantage for Harrison County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Harrison County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 35th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 27th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (24th percentile), tornado (18th percentile), wildfire (17th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane risk is Harrison County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 35th percentile nationally. The most time-sensitive preparedness step is knowing the county's evacuation zone for your address — zone maps are published by the county emergency management office. Harrison County's flood exposure at the 27th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Harrison County's county emergency management office publishes official evacuation zone maps with zone-specific shelter locations; downloading this map and identifying your zone assignment is the single highest-value pre-season step.

Regional Context

The Ohio county average exceeds Harrison County's score by 43.6 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Harrison 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 Harrison County, OH?
Harrison County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 11th 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 Harrison County?
Harrison County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (35th percentile), flooding (27th percentile), earthquake (24th percentile), tornado (18th percentile), wildfire (17th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 35th 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 Harrison County risk compare to the Ohio average?
Harrison County's composite risk percentile is 11th, compared to the Ohio state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Harrison County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Ohio.
Is Harrison County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Harrison County's hurricane risk is at the 35th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Harrison County is at the 27th 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 Harrison County a safe place to live?
Harrison County's composite risk score of 11th 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 hurricane at the 35th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Vinton County

Ohio

+0.4

Very Low

12th percentile

Noble County

Ohio

+2.0

Very Low

13th percentile

Wyandot County

Ohio

+6.0

Very Low

17th 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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