Natural Disaster Risk in Jefferson County

Natural Hazard Profile: Jefferson County, Ohio

Jefferson County is located in the United States in Ohio, home to roughly 65,187 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.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Jefferson County carries an overall risk score of 5.7/10, placing it in the moderate 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 hail and lightning.

Jefferson County's risk score, near 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 Jefferson County, the highest-scoring are landslide, hail, and lightning. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

With a moderate risk rating, Jefferson 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 landslide is recommended.