Jefferson County Disaster Risk
Jefferson County, Ohio
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
67th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#29
of 88 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
82th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 82% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 41% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 50% 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 60% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Jefferson County, Ohio
Jefferson County's moderate risk profile
With a composite risk score of 66.73, Jefferson County sits above the national average and carries a Relatively Low rating overall. This score reflects a county where natural hazards exist but remain manageable with proper preparation.
Mid-range risk among Ohio counties
Jefferson County's score of 66.73 exceeds Ohio's state average of 55.03, placing it in the higher-risk tier within the state. Among Ohio's 88 counties, this positions Jefferson as a moderate-concern area despite its Relatively Low rating.
Higher risk than surrounding counties
Jefferson County's 66.73 score outpaces most adjacent counties in the region. This elevated profile is driven primarily by flood risk, where Jefferson's 81.65 score significantly exceeds countywide baselines.
Floods and hurricanes pose most threat
Flood risk dominates Jefferson County at 81.65, making it the primary natural disaster concern for residents and businesses. Hurricane exposure (59.82) and tornado activity (50.19) round out the top three hazards, with the former more significant than average.
Prioritize flood insurance coverage
Jefferson County's exceptional flood risk makes flood insurance essential, even for properties not in mapped flood zones. Homeowners should also carry standard hazard insurance covering wind and tornado damage, particularly given the county's above-average hurricane exposure.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Jefferson County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Jefferson County
Risk Verdict
Jefferson County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 67th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Jefferson County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Jefferson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 82th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 60th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (50th percentile), earthquake (46th percentile), wildfire (41th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Jefferson County's top natural hazard is flood risk, ranked at the 82th percentile nationally. Homeowners here should confirm whether they are in a FEMA-designated flood zone and check if standard homeowners insurance covers flood damage — it typically does not. Alongside flooding, hurricane exposure at the 60th percentile means households benefit from a multi-hazard preparedness plan rather than focusing on flood alone. For most Jefferson County households, the highest-return preparedness step is storing critical documents in digital cloud backup combined with a pre-designated family meeting point if communication is disrupted.
Regional Context
Jefferson County's composite risk score sits 11.7 points above the Ohio county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Jefferson County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Jefferson County, OH?
What types of natural hazards affect Jefferson County?
How does Jefferson County risk compare to the Ohio average?
Is Jefferson County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Jefferson County higher risk than average?
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.