Natural Disaster Risk in Decatur

Natural Hazard Profile: Decatur, Ohio

Decatur is a small unincorporated community in Brown County, in the interior eastern United States. The area experiences cold winters with lake-effect snow in the north and warm, humid summers, with spring tornado risk and winter ice storms shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Decatur.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Decatur carries an overall risk score of 6.2/10, placing it in the high category. Slope instability and debris flows are the primary natural hazard, driven by a combination of local geology, precipitation intensity, and terrain that creates susceptibility to failure. The area also faces notable exposure to wind and lightning.

Decatur's risk score, slightly above the 5.8/10 state average and above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Brown County, the highest-scoring are landslide, wind, and lightning. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Decatur residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for landslide 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.