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

Monroe County Disaster Risk

Monroe County, Ohio

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

27th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#74

of 88 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

51th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Monroe County, Ohio

Monroe County enjoys very low risk

Monroe County scores 27.26 on the composite natural disaster risk scale, earning a Very Low rating—50% below Ohio's 55.03 state average. The county experiences minimal hazard exposure across all major disaster categories, making it one of Ohio's safest environments. Residents here benefit from unusually favorable natural disaster conditions.

Ohio's most protected counties

Monroe County ranks among Ohio's lowest-risk counties with a 27.26 composite score, substantially below the 55.03 state average. Only the very safest Ohio counties maintain lower overall risk profiles. This exceptional positioning reflects geographic and structural advantages that minimize natural disaster exposure.

Among the safest in the region

Monroe County's 27.26 risk score rivals Madison County (24.90) and Mercer County (31.65) as one of Ohio's safest communities. The county substantially outperforms adjacent Marion County (61.10) and Medina County (68.96). This clustering of very-low-risk counties along Ohio's western edge creates a protective zone.

Hurricane and flood risks most notable

Hurricane risk (54.82) and flood risk (50.92) represent Monroe County's most significant hazards, though both remain manageable compared to higher-risk counties. Tornado risk is minimal at 23.92, while earthquake and wildfire risks are similarly low at 33.05 and 18.26 respectively. The county's overall low exposure simplifies disaster preparedness considerably.

Minimal coverage requirements here

Standard homeowners insurance addressing wind and hail provides adequate protection for Monroe County's modest tornado and severe weather exposure. Flood insurance is optional but worth considering given the 50.92 flood risk, particularly for properties near low-lying areas. Monroe County's favorable risk profile means most residents don't require specialized disaster coverage.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Monroe County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    55th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    51th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    33th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Monroe County

Risk Verdict

At the 27th percentile nationally, Monroe County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. The 27th percentile national ranking is one lens; Monroe County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Monroe County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 55th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 51th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (33th percentile), tornado (24th percentile), wildfire (18th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Monroe County ranks at the 55th percentile nationally for hurricane risk. For coastal counties, wind-resistant shutters or impact-rated windows represent the highest single structural investment for reducing property damage. Flood, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 51th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Monroe County independent of hurricane season. For extended post-storm outages common in Monroe County's hurricane zone, a portable generator (operated outdoors only) and a supply of non-perishable food for at least seven days provides meaningful household resilience.

Regional Context

A composite score 27.8 points below the Ohio state average puts Monroe County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Monroe 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 Monroe County, OH?
Monroe County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 27th 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 Monroe County?
Monroe County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (55th percentile), flooding (51th percentile), earthquake (33th percentile), tornado (24th percentile), wildfire (18th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 55th 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 Monroe County risk compare to the Ohio average?
Monroe County's composite risk percentile is 27th, compared to the Ohio state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Monroe County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Ohio.
Is Monroe County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Monroe County's hurricane risk is at the 55th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Monroe County is at the 51th 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 Monroe County a safe place to live?
Monroe County's composite risk score of 27th 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 55th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Champaign County

Ohio

-0.5

Very Low

27th percentile

Perry County

Ohio

-1.3

Very Low

26th percentile

Fayette County

Ohio

-1.4

Very Low

26th 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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