Lancaster, OH
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Lancaster is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Fairfield County, OH. The county's highest-rated hazards are ice storm, landslide, and hail.
Storm events near Lancaster
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Lancaster's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Lancaster 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 Fairfield County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Lancaster along with the rest of the county, not a Lancaster-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 26.3 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 81.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 57.2 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 79.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 71.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 38 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 77.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | 82.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 29.5 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 88.3 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 87 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 81.9 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 76.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 80.5 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Fairfield County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Fairfield County:
More on Fairfield County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Lancaster, OH at risk of?
Lancaster is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Fairfield County, where Lancaster is located, are ice storm, landslide, and hail.
What is Lancaster's biggest natural hazard risk?
Ice Storm is the highest-rated hazard for Fairfield County, where Lancaster is located, scoring 88.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Lancaster a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Lancaster carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Fairfield County.
Has Lancaster had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 18 tornado, 119 hail, 237 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Lancaster since 2016.