Natural Disaster Risk in Summit County

Natural Hazard Profile: Summit County, Ohio

Summit County is located in the United States in Ohio, home to roughly 540,333 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, Summit County carries an overall risk score of 7.3/10, placing it in the high category. Hail is the primary natural disaster concern, with severe storms delivering baseball-sized or larger hailstones that cause significant insured losses each year. The area also faces notable exposure to wind and ice storm.

Summit County's risk score, slightly above the 5.8/10 state average and well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Summit County, the highest-scoring are hail, wind, and ice storm. 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, Summit County 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.