Cincinnati, OH
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Cincinnati is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Hamilton County, OH. The county's highest-rated hazards are tornado, heat wave, and cold wave.
Storm events near Cincinnati
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Cincinnati's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Cincinnati itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Hamilton County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Cincinnati along with the rest of the county, not a Cincinnati-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 47.3 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 96.9 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 92.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | 98.9 | Relatively High |
| Tornado | 99.4 | Very High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 97.4 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 32 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 93.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 38.2 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 86.5 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 95.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | 96.7 | Very High |
| Strong Wind | 97.2 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 93.3 | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Hamilton County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Hamilton County:
More on Hamilton County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Cincinnati, OH at risk of?
Cincinnati is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Hamilton County, where Cincinnati is located, are tornado, heat wave, and cold wave.
What is Cincinnati's biggest natural hazard risk?
Tornado is the highest-rated hazard for Hamilton County, where Cincinnati is located, scoring 99.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Cincinnati a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Cincinnati carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Hamilton County.
Has Cincinnati had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 23 tornado, 180 hail, 373 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Cincinnati since 2016.