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

Noble County Disaster Risk

Noble County, Ohio

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

13th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#86

of 88 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

36th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Noble County, Ohio

Noble County enjoys exceptional safety

Noble County's composite risk score of 13.45 earns a "Very Low" rating and ranks among the safest counties in the entire United States. This exceptional profile means residents have substantially lower natural disaster exposure compared to the vast majority of American communities.

One of Ohio's safest counties

Noble County's 13.45 score is less than one-quarter of Ohio's 55.03 state average, placing it among the state's most secure areas. The county's uniform low scores across all hazard types reinforce this safety advantage.

Safest in the surrounding region

Noble County (13.45) is the safest county in its peer group, outscoring Morgan County (18.23), Morrow County (24.40), and Perry County (25.99). This makes it a genuine low-risk haven within southeastern Ohio.

Hurricane risk tops a very low list

Noble County's highest hazard score is hurricane risk at 48.98, which remains well below state average and reflects the county's distance from coastal systems. All other hazards—earthquake, tornado, flood, and wildfire—score below 35, creating an exceptionally balanced and minimal risk profile.

Basic homeowners insurance sufficient

Noble County residents can confidently rely on standard homeowners insurance without specialized flood or windstorm riders given the county's very low overall risk. Annual policy reviews to confirm coverage limits and deductibles are the only routine insurance maintenance necessary.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Noble County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    49th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    36th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    29th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Noble County

Risk Verdict

Noble County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 13th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Noble County residents can take confidence from a 13th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Noble County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 49th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 36th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (29th percentile), tornado (25th percentile), wildfire (23th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Noble County's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 49th percentile nationally. Having a designated out-of-area contact, a pre-packed go-bag with medications and documents, and a confirmed evacuation route reduces decision-making load when a storm intensifies rapidly. Noble County's flood exposure at the 36th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for Noble County storm tracking; households benefit from bookmarking these before storm season rather than relying on social media during an event.

Regional Context

Compared to the Ohio county average, Noble County's composite score runs 41.6 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Noble 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 Noble County, OH?
Noble County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 13th 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 Noble County?
Noble County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (49th percentile), flooding (36th percentile), earthquake (29th percentile), tornado (25th percentile), wildfire (23th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 49th 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 Noble County risk compare to the Ohio average?
Noble County's composite risk percentile is 13th, compared to the Ohio state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Noble County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Ohio.
Is Noble County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Noble County's hurricane risk is at the 49th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Noble County is at the 36th 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 Noble County a safe place to live?
Noble County's composite risk score of 13th 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 49th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Vinton County

Ohio

-1.7

Very Low

12th percentile

Harrison County

Ohio

-2.0

Very Low

11th percentile

Wyandot County

Ohio

+3.9

Very Low

17th 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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