Delaware County

Ohio — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

78.8

National percentile: 79th

Delaware County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 78.8, 79th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $69M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $69M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very High Capacity to recover
Population 213K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Hail
Medium $3M/yr
Winter Weather
High $603K/yr
Ice Storm
High $1M/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Hail Medium 3.28 / yr $3M
Winter Weather High 11.68 / yr $603K
Ice Storm High 0.60 / yr $1M
Riverine Flood Medium 1.71 / yr $49M
Tornado Medium 0.24 / yr $7M
Lightning Medium 43.66 / yr $1M
Strong Wind Medium 1.92 / yr $2M
Heat Wave Low 3.58 / yr $2M
Earthquake Low 0.00 / yr $1M
Landslide Very Low 0.09 / yr $2K
Cold Wave Low 4.53 / yr $1M
Hurricane Very Low 0.01 / yr $20K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $21K
Drought Very Low 0.11 / yr $732
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 Delaware County?

Delaware County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 78.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 79th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Delaware County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $3M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $603K EAL), Ice Storm (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Delaware County compare to other Ohio counties?

Delaware County ranks #13 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low 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. Delaware County's $69M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.