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

Jackson County Disaster Risk

Jackson County, Ohio

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

36th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#66

of 88 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

57th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 34% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Jackson County, Ohio

Jackson County maintains very low disaster risk

At 35.75, Jackson County's composite risk score runs below the national average and significantly lower than Ohio's 55.03 state average. This very low rating places residents in a relatively protected position nationwide.

Ranks among Ohio's safer counties

Jackson County's 35.75 score situates it well below the state average and in Ohio's lower-risk tier. The county's solid standing reflects moderate to low exposure across most major natural hazard types.

Safer than most peer counties

Jackson County's 35.75 score exceeds only Hardin (24.43) and Harrison (11.42), but trails Henry (33.81), Highland (43.19), Hocking (47.30), Holmes (60.40), and Huron (50.29). It ranks as one of the safer counties in its regional cohort.

Flooding and hurricane pose modest concern

Flood risk (57.19) and hurricane risk (49.40) are Jackson County's two highest hazard scores, both approaching or exceeding state average but remaining moderate in absolute terms. Earthquake (45.55) and tornado (33.87) risks are secondary, while wildfire (20.36) is minimal.

Standard coverage with flood consideration

Jackson County residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance and seriously consider flood coverage if your property is near a waterway or in a flood zone. A basic emergency kit and a conversation with your insurance agent about optional earthquake or hurricane riders ensures comprehensive preparedness.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Jackson County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    57th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    49th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    46th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Jackson County

Risk Verdict

Jackson County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 36th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Jackson County's 36th 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

Flood risk is Jackson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 57th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 49th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (46th percentile), tornado (34th percentile), wildfire (20th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Jackson County's dominant hazard is flooding, ranked at the 57th percentile nationally. In addition to flood insurance, residents should identify their nearest evacuation shelter and store key documents in waterproof containers. The county's second-ranked hazard, hurricane at the 49th percentile nationally, means Jackson County residents face compounding risks from multiple natural hazard types during peak seasons. Jackson County's county emergency management office publishes hazard-specific guidance tailored to local conditions; bookmarking that resource and the county's alert system is a practical first step for any household.

Regional Context

Compared to the Ohio county average, Jackson County's composite score runs 19.3 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Jackson 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 Jackson County, OH?
Jackson County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 36th 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 Jackson County?
Jackson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (57th percentile), hurricane (49th percentile), earthquake (46th percentile), tornado (34th percentile), wildfire (20th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 57th 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 Jackson County risk compare to the Ohio average?
Jackson County's composite risk percentile is 36th, compared to the Ohio state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Jackson County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Ohio.
Is Jackson County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Jackson County's flooding risk is at the 57th 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 Jackson County a safe place to live?
Jackson County's composite risk score of 36th 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 57th 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.