Natural Disaster Risk in Atwater

Natural Hazard Profile: Atwater, Ohio

Atwater, in Portage County, is a town of roughly 6,666 residents situated in the Great Lakes region. Its humid continental climate brings cold winters with lake-effect snow in the north and warm, humid summers, and in particular spring tornado risk and winter ice storms. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Atwater residents and property owners must navigate.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Atwater carries an overall risk score of 6.1/10, placing it in the high category. Large hail is the dominant natural hazard, with supercell thunderstorms regularly producing damaging hailstones capable of destroying crops, vehicles, and roofs. The area also faces notable exposure to ice storm and winter.

Within Ohio, Atwater's risk is, near the 5.8/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Portage County identifies hail as the foremost hazard, followed by ice storm and winter. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Atwater residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for hail and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.