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

Putnam County Disaster Risk

Putnam County, Ohio

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

33th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#71

of 88 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

53th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Putnam County, Ohio

Putnam ranks Ohio's safest county

Putnam County's composite risk score of 32.86 earns a "Very Low" rating—the highest safety designation and well below national averages. The county experiences minimal exposure to major natural disaster hazards.

Lowest risk in the entire state

At 32.86, Putnam County dramatically underperforms Ohio's state average of 55.03 by more than 22 points. No Ohio county offers greater natural disaster protection than Putnam.

Putnam outperforms all nearby counties

Putnam (32.86) is safer than every adjacent county—Pickaway (50.92), Preble (43.29), and Pike (43.13). Its exceptionally low risk profile makes it a standout safe haven in western Ohio.

Wildfire risk is nearly nonexistent

Putnam's wildfire risk of just 2.26 ranks among the nation's lowest, reflecting the county's agricultural landscape and moisture profile. Tornado and flood risks at 48.47 and 52.77 respectively remain well-controlled.

Standard coverage meets Putnam's needs

While Putnam's low-risk profile reduces immediate urgency, maintain standard homeowners insurance to protect against routine damage. Focus on property maintenance—gutters, drainage, and roof inspections—rather than specialized disaster coverage.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Putnam County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    54th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    53th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    48th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Putnam County

Risk Verdict

Putnam County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 33th percentile nationally. At the 33th percentile, Putnam 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

Earthquake risk is Putnam County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 54th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 53th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (48th percentile), hurricane (40th percentile), wildfire (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake risk is Putnam County's leading natural hazard, ranked at the 54th percentile nationally. Securing tall furniture, water heaters, and bookcases to walls with anti-tip hardware is among the simplest and most effective life-safety measures households can take. Flood at the 53th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Putnam County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Putnam County residents should locate the main gas shutoff valve and keep an appropriate wrench nearby — gas leaks cause a significant share of earthquake-related injuries and fires, and the shutoff step is safe to take immediately after shaking stops.

Regional Context

The Ohio county average exceeds Putnam County's score by 22.2 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Putnam 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 Putnam County, OH?
Putnam County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 33th 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 Putnam County?
Putnam County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (54th percentile), flooding (53th percentile), tornado (48th percentile), hurricane (40th percentile), wildfire (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 54th 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 Putnam County risk compare to the Ohio average?
Putnam County's composite risk percentile is 33th, compared to the Ohio state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Putnam County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Ohio.
Is Putnam County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Putnam County's earthquake risk is at the 54th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Putnam County is at the 53th 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 Putnam County a safe place to live?
Putnam County's composite risk score of 33th 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 earthquake at the 54th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Union County

Ohio

-0.1

Very Low

33th percentile

Fulton County

Ohio

+0.7

Very Low

34th percentile

Henry County

Ohio

+1.0

Very Low

34th 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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