riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Ottawa County Disaster Risk

Ottawa County, Ohio

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

59th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#44

of 88 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

73th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Ottawa County

Risk Verdict

Ottawa County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 59th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Ottawa County, scoring in the 73th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 73th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (53th), hurricane (44th), wildfire (14th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Ottawa County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Ottawa County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Ohio. Its composite risk score is within 4.1 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of Ohio as a whole.

Is your home insured against Ottawa County's risks?

Compare home and flood insurance quotes in minutes.

Get Quotes →

Sponsored

High flood risk area

Learn about NFIP flood insurance coverage for your property.

Learn More →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Ottawa County, OH?
Ottawa County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 59th 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 Ottawa County?
Ottawa County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (73th percentile), flooding (73th percentile), earthquake (53th percentile), hurricane (44th percentile), wildfire (14th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 73th 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 Ottawa County risk compare to the Ohio average?
Ottawa County's composite risk percentile is 59th, compared to the Ohio state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Ottawa County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Ohio.
Is Ottawa County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Ottawa County's tornado risk is at the 73th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Ottawa County is at the 73th 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.
Why is Ottawa County higher risk than average?
Ottawa County's composite risk score of 59th percentile is above the Ohio state average of 55th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (73th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Geauga County

Ohio

+1.1

Relatively Low

60th percentile

Holmes County

Ohio

+1.2

Relatively Low

60th percentile

Knox County

Ohio

+1.9

Relatively Low

61th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.

Explore more data for Ottawa County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score