Hardin County, Ohio
Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.
Hardin County, Ohio has a very low overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is lower than 76% of US counties. It ranks 79th of 88 counties in Ohio. The costliest hazards here are inland flooding, cold waves and tornadoes. FEMA estimates about $11 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $344 per resident. Since 1977 it has been included in 10 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (4 major disasters). The most recent was in August 2012 (severe storms and straight-line winds). Fewer than 1 in 100 homes here carry federal flood insurance (61 policies). Since 1978, federal flood insurance has paid about $328,000 on 17 claims here.
FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; OpenFEMA declarations to Nov 6, 2026; NFIP records. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Hardin County
- Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
- Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
- Insulate pipes in outside walls, crawl spaces and garages.
- Know how to shut off the main water valve.
- Pick a shelter spot: a basement, or an inside room on the lowest floor with no windows.
- Turn on emergency alerts on your phone and keep a weather radio.
All 18 hazards
What the ratings mean ›| Hazard | Rating | Score | Expected loss a year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | 40.2 | $6M | ||
| Cold wave | 44.4 | $981K | ||
| Tornado | 36.3 | $930K | ||
| Strong wind | 55.8 | $820K | ||
| Lightning | 65.1 | $524K | ||
| Hail | 58.9 | $462K | ||
| Earthquake | 48.9 | $327K | ||
| Heat wave | 23.5 | $108K | ||
| Ice storm | 45.2 | $86K | ||
| Winter weather | 48.6 | $77K | ||
| Hurricane | 43.6 | $52K | ||
| Wildfire | 1.3 | $644 | ||
| Landslide | 26.4 | $283 |
Scores are percentiles: a score of 90 means higher risk than about 90% of US counties for that hazard. Hazards FEMA does not rate here are left out. Social vulnerability is very low and community resilience is relatively high in FEMA's measures.
Federal disaster history
Recent disasters nationwide ›Declarations by decade
Federal declarations for natural events that included Hardin County. 2020s bar runs to November 2026.
By type
Most recent
Ohio also had 3 statewide declarations that did not name single counties.
Storm history since 1959
Tornado risk by county ›The National Weather Service has logged 244 storm reports in Hardin County since 1959, with 1 death and 0 injuries and about $2.2 million in reported damage. The strongest on record here was an EF1 tornado on December 11, 2021 near Alger.
Strongest tornadoes
| Date | Strength | Near | Hurt / killed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 11, 2021 | EF1 | Alger | 0 / 0 |
| Mar 10, 1986 | F1 | – | 0 / 0 |
| Feb 15, 1992 | F1 | – | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 12, 2023 | EF1 | Kenton | 0 / 0 |
| Mar 26, 2026 | EF1 | Kenton | 0 / 0 |
Most damaging storms
| Date | Type | Near | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 11, 2021 | Tornado | Alger | $300K |
| Mar 10, 1986 | Tornado | – | $250K |
| Feb 15, 1992 | Tornado | – | $250K |
| Aug 12, 2023 | Tornado | Kenton | $250K |
| Nov 17, 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Hepburn | $200K |
| Mar 26, 2026 | Tornado | Kenton | $65K |
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, county-based reports through May 23, 2026. Tornado records start in 1950, hail and wind in 1955, and floods and other storm types in 1996, so older decades undercount. Damage is in dollars of the year it happened and is often an estimate. Winter storms, heat and hurricanes are logged by forecast zone, not county, so they are not counted here.
Flood insurance in Hardin County
Check your address flood zone ›National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) records only; private flood policies are not included. Home counts as of Aug 3, 2026. Since 2021 NFIP prices each home separately under Risk Rating 2.0, so your price depends on the building, not the county. Ask an agent for a quote.
Homes in Hardin County
Older homes and mobile homes usually suffer more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes, and can cost more to insure. If you are buying, ask about roof age, foundation bolting and any retrofits. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 5-year estimates; 12,917 housing units.
Compare in Ohio
All 88 ›| Largest counties | Overall risk | Top hazard |
|---|---|---|
| Franklin County | Inland flooding | |
| Cuyahoga County | Inland flooding | |
| Hamilton County | Inland flooding | |
| Summit County | Inland flooding | |
| Montgomery County | Inland flooding | |
| Lucas County | Inland flooding | |
| Butler County | Inland flooding | |
| Stark County | Inland flooding |
Neighboring counties
| County | Overall risk | Declarations |
|---|---|---|
| Allen County | 8 | |
| Hancock County | 12 | |
| Marion County | 10 | |
| Union County | 11 | |
| Auglaize County | 11 | |
| Logan County | 12 | |
| Wyandot County | 10 |
Common questions about Hardin County
What is the biggest natural hazard in Hardin County?
Inland flooding has the highest expected yearly losses in Hardin County, about $6.2 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Cold wave is second at $981,162.
How many federal disasters has Hardin County had?
Hardin County has been included in 10 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 1977, including 4 major disasters. The most recent was Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds in August 2012.
Is Hardin County a high-risk place to live?
Its overall rating is Very Low, 79th highest of 88 in Ohio. A county rating covers the whole area. Risk at one address can be much higher or lower, so check the FEMA flood map and ask about the home's history.
Do I need flood insurance in Hardin County?
Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 250 homes in Hardin County has federal flood insurance. Lenders require it in mapped high-risk zones, but many flood claims come from outside those zones.
How many tornadoes has Hardin County had?
NOAA records list 11 tornadoes in Hardin County since 1950. The strongest was an EF1 tornado on December 11, 2021 near Alger. The weather service has also logged 51 hail reports and 43 floods here.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025), OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, and NFIP policy and claims data. Hazard Compass is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. These figures describe the whole county, not a single property, and are not insurance or safety advice. Report a problem.