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

Williams County Disaster Risk

Williams County, Ohio

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

44th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#58

of 88 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

52th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Williams County, Ohio

Williams' Moderate Risk Profile

Williams County scores 44.40 on the composite risk scale, approaching the national average with a Relatively Low rating. This northwestern Ohio county faces moderate exposure to natural hazards, with particular vulnerability to tornadoes and earthquakes despite generally favorable regional conditions.

Below-Average Risk for Ohio

Williams' composite score of 44.40 remains below Ohio's 55.03 average, placing it among the safer half of the state's counties. The county benefits from its position in northwestern Ohio's relatively protected geography.

Safer Than Most Regional Peers

Williams' 44.40 score compares favorably to Wood County (65.68) and Wayne County (64.85), though it exceeds Van Wert County (20.10) and Wyandot County (17.40). Its northwestern location offers better protection than northeastern Ohio counties.

Tornadoes and Earthquakes Stand Out

Williams faces tornado risk of 74.36 and earthquake risk of 63.04—both elevated relative to the county's overall moderate profile. Tornado preparedness should focus on identifying shelter locations and monitoring seasonal weather patterns during spring and early summer.

Standard Coverage With Earthquake Add-On

Williams residents benefit from below-state-average risk, so standard homeowners insurance provides solid foundational protection at competitive rates. Adding earthquake coverage as a rider addresses the county's elevated seismic exposure cost-effectively without requiring standalone policies.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Williams County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    74th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    63th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    52th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Williams County

Risk Verdict

Williams County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 44th percentile across all U.S. counties. The 44th percentile national ranking is one lens; Williams County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Williams County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 74th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 63th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (52th percentile), hurricane (32th percentile), wildfire (12th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ranked at the 74th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Williams County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Williams County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. The secondary earthquake hazard at the 63th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Williams County's preparedness calendar, since earthquake and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. Williams County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.

Regional Context

Williams County is 10.6 composite risk points below the Ohio state mean, meaning most other Ohio counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Williams 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 Williams County, OH?
Williams County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 44th 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 Williams County?
Williams County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (74th percentile), earthquake (63th percentile), flooding (52th percentile), hurricane (32th percentile), wildfire (12th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 74th 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 Williams County risk compare to the Ohio average?
Williams County's composite risk percentile is 44th, compared to the Ohio state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Williams County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Ohio.
Is Williams County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Williams County's tornado risk is at the 74th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Williams County is at the 52th 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 Williams County a safe place to live?
Williams County's composite risk score of 44th 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 tornado at the 74th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Adams County

Ohio

-0.6

Relatively Low

44th percentile

Preble County

Ohio

-1.1

Relatively Low

43th percentile

Highland County

Ohio

-1.2

Relatively Low

43th 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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