Muskingum County Disaster Risk
Muskingum County, Ohio
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
71th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#23
of 88 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
84th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 84% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 34% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 56% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 52% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 43% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Muskingum County, Ohio
Muskingum's risk moderately above U.S. average
Muskingum County's composite risk score of 70.93 rates as "Relatively Low" but exceeds the national average, placing it in the upper-middle tier of American disaster risk. Residents here face notably more natural hazard exposure than most U.S. counties.
Higher-risk county within Ohio
Muskingum County's 70.93 score substantially exceeds Ohio's 55.03 state average, ranking it among the state's more hazard-prone counties. Flood risk and tornado exposure drive much of this elevated profile.
Riskier than most surrounding counties
Muskingum County (70.93) faces notably higher hazard exposure than Morgan County (18.23), Morrow County (24.40), and Perry County (25.99). Only Montgomery County (92.65) surpasses it in the region, making Muskingum a secondary risk hotspot in southeastern Ohio.
Flooding is the dominant local threat
Muskingum County's flood risk score of 83.81 represents its most serious hazard, reflecting the county's extensive waterway network and valley geography. Tornado risk at 56.33 poses a secondary but significant threat, particularly during spring storm seasons.
Flood insurance strongly recommended
Given Muskingum County's 83.81 flood risk score, residents near waterways, valleys, or in mapped floodplains should secure separate flood insurance—standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage. Verify your property's flood zone with FEMA and consider windstorm coverage to address the county's secondary tornado threat.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Muskingum County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Muskingum County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard pressure in Muskingum County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 71th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Muskingum County's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Muskingum County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 84th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 56th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (52th percentile), hurricane (43th percentile), wildfire (34th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Flood risk is Muskingum County's top hazard at the 84th percentile nationally. Households in or near designated flood zones face elevated financial exposure; flood insurance typically requires a 30-day waiting period before it takes effect, so applying before the season is advisable. Secondary tornado exposure at the 56th percentile adds a second preparedness layer; households should review coverage options and alert sign-up for both hazard types. Households across Muskingum County should identify the nearest community shelter and keep a basic emergency kit — water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlight, and battery radio — in a location easy to grab quickly.
Regional Context
Muskingum County is 15.9 composite risk points above the Ohio average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.
Is your household prepared for Muskingum County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Muskingum County, OH?
What types of natural hazards affect Muskingum County?
How does Muskingum County risk compare to the Ohio average?
Is Muskingum County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Muskingum 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.