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

Morrow County Disaster Risk

Morrow County, Ohio

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

24th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#80

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 16% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Morrow County, Ohio

Morrow County sits below national average

Morrow County's composite risk score of 24.40 earns a "Very Low" rating and places it well below the U.S. average for natural disaster exposure. This favorable standing means residents face significantly lower multi-hazard risk than the typical American county.

One of Ohio's safest counties

Morrow County's score of 24.40 significantly undercuts Ohio's 55.03 state average, ranking among the state's most secure areas. The county's balanced, moderate hazard profile across all disaster types contributes to this safety advantage.

Safer than most surrounding counties

Morrow County (24.40) is considerably safer than Muskingum County (70.93) and Ottawa County (59.16), though comparable to nearby Morgan County (18.23). This makes Morrow a relatively secure location within its regional context.

Tornadoes and earthquakes are top concerns

Morrow County's tornado risk of 40.55 is its highest hazard score, followed by earthquake risk at 39.92—both still well below state averages. Wildfire and flood risks remain minimal, creating a relatively balanced and manageable disaster risk profile.

Standard coverage meets most needs

Morrow County residents can typically rely on conventional homeowners insurance without specialized riders for flood or windstorm coverage. A simple review of your policy's coverage limits and deductibles annually should suffice given the county's low overall risk profile.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Morrow County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    45th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    41th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    40th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Morrow County

Risk Verdict

Morrow County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 24th percentile nationally. At the 24th percentile, Morrow County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Morrow County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 45th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 41th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (40th percentile), hurricane (20th percentile), wildfire (16th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With flood risk ranking at the 45th percentile nationally, Morrow County residents face one of the most financially damaging hazards without specialized coverage. Flood insurance through the NFIP or a private carrier is worth evaluating regardless of current mortgage requirements. Alongside flooding, tornado exposure at the 41th percentile means households benefit from a multi-hazard preparedness plan rather than focusing on flood alone. Registering for Morrow County's county emergency alert system — typically through the county emergency management office's website — ensures households receive early warning when flood events develop faster than forecast.

Regional Context

Morrow County falls 30.6 points below Ohio's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Morrow 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 Morrow County, OH?
Morrow County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 24th 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 Morrow County?
Morrow County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (45th percentile), tornado (41th percentile), earthquake (40th percentile), hurricane (20th percentile), wildfire (16th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 45th 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 Morrow County risk compare to the Ohio average?
Morrow County's composite risk percentile is 24th, compared to the Ohio state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Morrow County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Ohio.
Is Morrow County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Morrow County's flooding risk is at the 45th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure.
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 Morrow County a safe place to live?
Morrow County's composite risk score of 24th 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 45th 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.