Butler County
Ohio — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 91th
Butler County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 91.5, 91th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $120M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | High | 0.33 / yr | $28M |
| Cold Wave | High | 3.16 / yr | $16M |
| Lightning | High | 48.91 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | High | 2.75 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.57 / yr | $62M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.09 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | High | 11.47 / yr | $474K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 6.21 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.61 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.19 / yr | $12K |
| Drought | Low | 1.53 / yr | $124K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $33K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $14K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Butler County?
Butler County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 91.5 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 91th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Butler County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (High, $28M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $16M EAL), Lightning (High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Butler County compare to other Ohio counties?
Butler County ranks #6 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Butler County's $120M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.