Natural Disaster Risk in Champaign County

Natural Hazard Profile: Champaign County, Ohio

Champaign County is located in the United States in Ohio, home to roughly 38,673 residents. The county experiences cold winters with lake-effect snow in the north and warm, humid summers, with spring tornado risk and winter ice storms shaping the natural hazards faced by its communities. FEMA assesses risk at this county level, providing the baseline for every city and ZIP code within its boundaries.

FEMA rates Champaign County's composite natural disaster risk at 5.0 out of 10 — moderate risk. Freezing rain and ice accretion are the primary winter hazard, with glaze ice events capable of downing power lines, snapping tree limbs, and making roads impassable for days. Residents should also account for earthquake and hail risk in their preparedness planning.

Champaign County's risk score, slightly below the 5.8/10 state average and near the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Champaign County, the highest-scoring are ice storm, earthquake, and hail. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

With a moderate risk rating, Champaign County residents are well-served by maintaining standard preparedness practices — an emergency supply kit, awareness of local hazard seasonality, and insurance that covers the top local risks. Periodic review of coverage for ice storm is recommended.