Natural Disaster Risk in Syracuse

Natural Hazard Profile: Syracuse, Ohio

Located in the interior eastern United States in Meigs County, Syracuse is a small community of about 562. The humid continental climate that characterizes this part of Ohio — marked by cold winters with lake-effect snow in the north and warm, humid summers — directly influences the types and severity of natural hazards present, making Syracuse a community where hazard awareness has real practical value.

Syracuse's overall natural disaster risk is rated 5.0/10 (Moderate) by FEMA's National Risk Index. 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. Secondary hazards include ice storm and heat.

Relative to other U.S. communities, Syracuse's natural disaster risk is near the U.S. national average of 4.5/10, slightly below the 5.8/10 state average. The hazard distribution here is led by landslide and ice storm, as measured by FEMA across Meigs County. While city-specific sub-county variation exists, these scores represent the best available federal risk estimate.

With a moderate risk rating, Syracuse 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.