Knox County

Ohio — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

61.0

National percentile: 61th

Knox County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 61.0, 61th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $19M.

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

Expected Annual Loss $19M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very High Capacity to recover
Population 63K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Hail
Medium $1M/yr
Strong Wind
Medium $1M/yr
Ice Storm
Medium $320K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Hail Medium 3.77 / yr $1M
Strong Wind Medium 2.13 / yr $1M
Ice Storm Medium 0.37 / yr $320K
Winter Weather Medium 9.42 / yr $157K
Riverine Flood Low 0.93 / yr $12M
Landslide Low 0.28 / yr $3K
Lightning Medium 41.99 / yr $347K
Tornado Low 0.25 / yr $2M
Heat Wave Low 2.47 / yr $463K
Cold Wave Low 4.16 / yr $1M
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $217K
Hurricane Very Low 0.01 / yr $27K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $17K
Avalanche Very Low 0.00 / yr $0
Coastal Flood Very Low 0.00 / yr $0
Drought 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 Knox County?

Knox County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 61.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 61th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Knox County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $320K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Knox County compare to other Ohio counties?

Knox County ranks #41 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. Knox County's $19M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.