Morgan County Disaster Risk
Morgan County, Ohio
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
18th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#84
of 88 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
45th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 45% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 11% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 17% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 25% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 36% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Morgan County, Ohio
Morgan enjoys rare very low risk status
Morgan County's composite risk score of 18.23 earns a "Very Low" rating, placing it well below the U.S. average and in the safer tier of American counties. This favorable profile means residents face substantially lower exposure to major natural disasters compared to most of the nation.
Among Ohio's safest counties overall
Morgan County's 18.23 score sits far below Ohio's 55.03 state average, ranking the county among the state's lowest-risk areas. This safety advantage reflects relatively modest exposure across all major hazard types.
Safest in its regional peer group
Morgan County (18.23) is significantly safer than nearby Muskingum County (70.93) and substantially safer than state-average counties like Ottawa (59.16). Its low risk profile makes it one of the most secure areas in southeastern Ohio.
Earthquake poses limited local concern
Morgan County's hazard profile is notably balanced and low: earthquake risk of 24.75 is its highest single threat, followed by hurricane risk at 36.42. Both scores remain well below state and national averages, reflecting the county's overall safety advantage.
Standard insurance typically sufficient
Morgan County residents can generally rely on standard homeowners insurance without specialized add-ons, though reviewing coverage limits annually remains sound practice. Flood insurance may be unnecessary for most homes, but property owners in mapped floodplains should still consult FEMA maps to verify their specific exposure.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Morgan County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Morgan County
Risk Verdict
Natural disaster exposure in Morgan County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 18th percentile. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Morgan County's favorable 18th percentile ranking.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Morgan County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 45th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 36th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (25th percentile), tornado (17th percentile), wildfire (11th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With flood ranked as the primary hazard at the 45th percentile nationally, Morgan 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, hurricane at the 36th percentile nationally, means Morgan 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 Morgan County households.
Regional Context
Morgan County is 36.8 composite risk points below the Ohio state mean, meaning most other Ohio counties face higher natural hazard exposure.
Is your household prepared for Morgan County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Morgan County, OH?
What types of natural hazards affect Morgan County?
How does Morgan County risk compare to the Ohio average?
Is Morgan County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Morgan County a safe place to live?
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.