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

Hocking County Disaster Risk

Hocking County, Ohio

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

47th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#55

of 88 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

69th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 34% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Hocking County, Ohio

Hocking County faces moderate disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 47.30, Hocking County runs slightly below Ohio's 55.03 state average and above the national median. This relatively low rating reflects above-average but not extreme hazard exposure.

Mid-tier risk across Ohio

Hocking County's 47.30 score places it near Ohio's state average, ranking it in the moderate-risk middle of the state's counties. It faces more natural hazard exposure than Ohio's safest counties but less than the highest-risk regions.

Riskier than western peers, safer than eastern

Hocking County's 47.30 score exceeds Hardin (24.43), Harrison (11.42), Henry (33.81), and Jackson (35.75), but trails Highland (43.19), Holmes (60.40), and Huron (50.29). Its position reflects southeastern Ohio's moderately elevated hazard exposure.

Flooding dominates; earthquakes secondary

Flood risk (68.83) is Hocking County's standout hazard—one of the county's highest scores and well above state average. Earthquake (34.64) and tornado (33.78) risks are secondary concerns, while wildfire (12.69) and hurricane (15.44) pose minimal threat.

Prioritize flood insurance and drainage

Flood insurance is essential in Hocking County, especially if your property is near a waterway or in a flood-prone zone—check FEMA flood maps to understand your risk. Ensure gutters, downspouts, and yard drainage direct water away from your foundation, and keep important documents and photos stored safely outside your home.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Hocking County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    69th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    35th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    34th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Hocking County

Risk Verdict

Hocking County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 47th percentile across all U.S. counties. Even at the 47th percentile, Hocking County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Hocking County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 69th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 35th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (34th percentile), hurricane (15th percentile), wildfire (13th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With flood ranked as the primary hazard at the 69th percentile nationally, Hocking County households should build a go-bag that includes important documents, medications, and supplies to sustain the family for at least three days if evacuation is needed. The county's second-ranked hazard, earthquake at the 35th percentile nationally, means Hocking County residents face compounding risks from multiple natural hazard types during peak seasons. A waterproof container for documents (insurance policies, ID, prescriptions) and a clear household communication plan for when phone networks are congested are the two highest-value low-cost preparedness steps for Hocking County households.

Regional Context

Hocking County is 7.7 composite risk points below the Ohio state mean, meaning most other Ohio counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Hocking 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 Hocking County, OH?
Hocking County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 47th 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 Hocking County?
Hocking County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (69th percentile), earthquake (35th percentile), tornado (34th percentile), hurricane (15th percentile), wildfire (13th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 69th 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 Hocking County risk compare to the Ohio average?
Hocking County's composite risk percentile is 47th, compared to the Ohio state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Hocking County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Ohio.
Is Hocking County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Hocking County's flooding risk is at the 69th percentile nationally. This is above the national median.
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 Hocking County a safe place to live?
Hocking County's composite risk score of 47th 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 flooding at the 69th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.