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

Warren County Disaster Risk

Warren County, Ohio

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

78th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#15

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 38% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Warren County, Ohio

Warren's Elevated Risk Profile

Warren County scores 77.80 on the composite risk scale, placing it well above the national average and earning a Relatively Low rating. This southwestern Ohio county faces significantly more natural disaster exposure than most American communities, driven by multiple high-risk hazard types.

Among Ohio's Highest-Risk Counties

Warren ranks among the state's most hazard-exposed counties, with a composite score of 77.80 compared to Ohio's 55.03 average. Only a handful of Ohio counties face comparable disaster risk across such a broad range of hazard types.

Warren Faces Greater Risks Than Peers

Warren's 77.80 score exceeds neighboring Wood County (65.68) and Wayne County (64.85), reflecting its concentrated exposure to tornadoes and floods. The county's position in southwestern Ohio's tornado corridor amplifies vulnerability compared to adjacent regions.

Tornadoes and Floods Drive the Risk

Warren experiences tornado risk of 83.40 and flood risk of 83.87—among the highest in the state and far above national averages. These two hazards demand serious preparation: secure a weather radio, maintain emergency supplies, and know your evacuation routes.

Comprehensive Coverage Is Essential

Warren residents should prioritize flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, as standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage. Adding tornado-specific coverage and considering earthquake riders provides multi-hazard protection appropriate to the county's elevated risk profile.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Warren County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    84th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    83th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    75th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Warren County

Risk Verdict

Warren County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 78th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. This risk level calls for more than general awareness: insurance coverage review, a family communication plan, and a prepared go-bag are practical priorities.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Warren County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 84th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 83th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (75th percentile), wildfire (38th percentile), hurricane (21th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Warren County's top natural hazard is flood risk, ranked at the 84th percentile nationally. Homeowners here should confirm whether they are in a FEMA-designated flood zone and check if standard homeowners insurance covers flood damage — it typically does not. Alongside flooding, tornado exposure at the 83th percentile means households benefit from a multi-hazard preparedness plan rather than focusing on flood alone. For most Warren County households, the highest-return preparedness step is storing critical documents in digital cloud backup combined with a pre-designated family meeting point if communication is disrupted.

Regional Context

Warren County's composite risk score sits 22.8 points above the Ohio county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Warren 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 Warren County, OH?
Warren County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 78th 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 Warren County?
Warren County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (84th percentile), tornado (83th percentile), earthquake (75th percentile), wildfire (38th percentile), hurricane (21th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 84th 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 Warren County risk compare to the Ohio average?
Warren County's composite risk percentile is 78th, compared to the Ohio state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Warren County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Ohio.
Is Warren County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Warren County's flooding risk is at the 84th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type.
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 Warren County higher risk than average?
Warren County's composite risk score of 78th percentile is above the Ohio state average of 55th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by flooding exposure (84th percentile), along with tornado and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.