Natural Disasters in Ohio: History & Risk Data
91,089 recorded disaster events across 1,144 ZIP codes.
State Statistics
Event Timeline
Hazard Breakdown
Most Affected ZIP Codes in Ohio
📊 Ohio Disaster Profile
With 91,089 recorded natural disaster events across 1,144 ZIP codes, Ohio carries a substantial history of natural hazard activity. The cumulative documented property damage stands at $61.5B. A total of 3,452 fatalities have been attributed to natural disasters in the state.
⚠️ Hazard Distribution
Hailstorms lead Ohio's disaster profile with 33,187 events (36%), causing $12.6B in property damage. Other significant hazards include blizzards (24,280 events, $15.7B in damages), floods (20,839 events, $9B in damages), and tornadoes (6,553 events, $22.9B in damages). Ohio has no recorded hurricanes in the dataset.
📍 Geographic Impact
The most disaster-affected areas in Ohio include ZIP 44094 (224 events, $33.9M in damages), ZIP 44109 (215 events, $89.1M in damages), and ZIP 44022 (215 events, $46.2M in damages).
📈 Trends Over Time
Disaster frequency in Ohio has increased markedly over time. The average annual event count in recent decades is roughly 797% higher than in earlier periods of the record. The year 2011 stands out as particularly active, with 6,165 events recorded — likely driven by a major weather system or disaster season.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions — Ohio
What natural disasters occur in Ohio?
Ohio has experienced 91,089 documented natural disaster events. The hazard types recorded include hailstorms (33,187), blizzards (24,280), floods (20,839), tornadoes (6,553), severe wind events (3,391), extreme cold events (2,600), earthquakes (191), extreme heat events (26), and wildfires (22). The most common hazard is hailstorms, accounting for 36% of all events.
What are the most disaster-prone areas in Ohio?
Based on historical records, the most disaster-affected ZIP codes in Ohio are ZIP 44094 (224 events), ZIP 44109 (215 events), ZIP 44022 (215 events), ZIP 44122 (215 events), and ZIP 44144 (208 events). These areas have the highest concentration of recorded natural disaster events in the state.
How much damage have natural disasters caused in Ohio?
Natural disasters have caused a documented $61.5B in property damage across Ohio. This total is based on records from FEMA, NOAA, and USGS, covering events from the 1950s onward. The actual figure is likely higher, as not all events have complete damage records.
About This Data
State-level data aggregated from FEMA (disaster declarations, NFIP flood claims), NOAA Storm Events Database, USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, and NIFC wildfire records. Historical coverage varies by source, with most records beginning in the 1950s–1970s. Full methodology →