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Flooding
Flooding is the most frequently occurring natural disaster in Ohio as well as in the United States. Floods in Ohio occur in rivers and streams when flow exceeds the capacity of the channel in to the floodplain. Although this is a natural process, humans continue to inhabit areas where flooding is eminent in flood hazard areas. Development in flood hazard areas often leads to loss of life and property – floods damage property and infrastructure in Ohio every year.
For more information, see the section on flooding in the State Hazard Mitigation Plan: Section 2.2
Reference Links:
- http://www.floodsafety.noaa.gov/states/oh-flood.shtml
Link to National Weather Service page that describes the types of flooding that are typical in the Ohio and how to protect yourself, your family and your home. The page also contains information on significant Ohio floods, links to NWS offices that provide forecast and safety information for Ohio, as well as links to partners who play a significant role in keeping Ohioan’s safe.
- http://water.weather.gov/afws/
Link to Automated Flood Warning System (AFWS) supplying data including water supply monitoring, recreation forecasts, navigation, sewer and waste treatment operations, power generation, structural design, and emergency planning.
- http://msc.fema.gov
Link to FEMA Map Service Center for Flood Maps, Firmettes, DFIRM Databases, MapViewer, and other documents, publications and forms pertaining to The National Flood Insurance Rate Program.
- http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/
Link to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) Storm Event database to find various types of storms recorded in your county or use other selection criteria as desired.
- http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/ohio.html
Link to USGS StreamStats showing streamflow statistics and basin characteristics. Examples of streamflow statistics include the 100-year flood, the mean annual flow, and the 7-day, 10-year low flow.
- http://waterdata.usgs.gov/oh/nwis/rt
Link to USGS real-time water data for Ohio typically are recorded at 15- to 60-minute intervals, stored onsite, and then transmitted to USGS offices every 1 to 4 hours, (depending on the data relay technique used).
- http://water.weather.gov/ahps/
Link to National Weather Service interactive map showing flood gauges.
- http://www.cocorahs.org/
Link to the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS). CoCoRaHS is a unique, non-profit, community-based network of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail and snow).
- http://soilandwater.ohiodnr.gov/water-use-planning/floodplain-management
The ODNR Floodplain Management Program provides advice and technical information to reduce the impact of flooding. Emphasis is placed on floodplain management and coordination of the National Flood Insurance Program. The staff recommends management strategies to reduce flood damage and promote the natural benefit of floodplains. It also serves as the state repository for flood data.
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Tornado
Ohio ranks within the top 20 states in the nation for fatalities, injuries, and dollar losses, indicating that it has a relatively high likelihood for damages resulting from tornado. Tornadoes are vigorously rotating columns of air that are in contact with both the surface and storm clouds. Typically, they are in the shape of a funnel surrounded by a cloud of debris and dust which makes them extremely dangerous in populated areas. Most tornadoes have wind speeds less than 110 miles per hour (177 km/h), are approximately 250 feet (80 m) across, and travel a few miles (several kilometers) before dissipating. It is difficult to predict the exact location of tornadoes therefore risk assessments are done using historical information and past declarations.
For more information, see the section on tornadoes in the State Hazard Mitigation Plan: Section 2.3
Reference Links:
- http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/
Link to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) Storm Event database to find various types of storms recorded in your county or use other selection criteria as desired.
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Winter Storm
Severe winter weather affects all parts of Ohio. A winter storm occurs when precipitation (snow or sleet) forms at cold temperatures or when the ground temperature is cold enough where ice forms (freezing rain). Accumulations of snow and ice often make conditions hazardous to motorists and pedestrians. Ice storms and heavy snow fall may cause power and telecommunication outages, disrupting activities for days. While Ohio residents and governments are accustomed to handling winter storm events, occasional extreme events can make conditions dangerous and disruptive.
For more information, see the section on winter storms in the State Hazard Mitigation Plan: Section 2.4
Reference Links:
- http://nsidc.org/data/g02158.html
Link to the Snow Data Assimilation System (SNODAS) Data Products at National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC).
- http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/
Link to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) Storm Event database to find various types of storms recorded in your county or use other selection criteria as desired.
- http://www.cocorahs.org/
Link to the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS). CoCoRaHS is a unique, non-profit, community-based network of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail and snow).
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Landslide
In Ohio, there are three main types of landslides that occur, Rotational Slump, Earthflow and Rockfall (see link to Hazard Mitigation Plan below for more information) Landslides are wide ranges of ground movement (soil and rock material) which can occur in offshore, coastal and onshore environments. Factors in Ohio that may impact slope stability and contribute to landslides include: groundwater pressure, soil structure, stream erosion, saturation (snow melt, heavy rains) and earthquakes.
For more information, see the section on landslides in the State Hazard Mitigation Plan: Section 2.5
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Dam/Levee Failure
Ohio has a dam safety program that provides inspections and promotes maintenance to prevent dam/levee failure throughout the state. Dam/levee failure is often the result of design error, geologic instability, poor maintenance, extreme rainfall and/or structure failure. Dam/levee failures are generally rare but have major consequences when they occur. Significant flooding downstream can cause major destruction of life and property.
For more information, see the section on dam/levee failures in the State Hazard Mitigation Plan: Section 2.6
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Wildfire
Each year in Ohio, an average of 800 wildfires burn 4,000 to 5,000 acres of forest and grassland within ODNR Division of Forestry’s forest fire protection district. The protection district includes all 185,000 acres of Ohio’s 20 State Forests, as well as all privately owned lands within the district boundaries. A wildfire is any uncontrolled fire with extensive size and speed in a combustible vegetative area. The danger of wildfires is that they are unpredictable, especially when weather conditions are warm, dry, and windy and the topography of the area is uneven.
For more information, see the section on wildfires failures in the State Hazard Mitigation Plan: Section 2.7
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Seiche/Coastal Flooding
The most common cause of seiches in Ohio is a strong, constant wind blowing over the surface of the water forcing it to accumulate at the down-wind shore. A seiche is a standing wave in an enclosed or partially enclosed body of water that can cause coastal flooding. Small rhythmic seiches are almost always present on the Great Lakes but are usually unnoticeable except during periods of unusual calm. Wind speed and barometric pressure are the most obvious contributors to the size of an event. Because of the shallowness and elongated shape of Lake Erie, it is more prone to wind seiches similar to a storm surge like that caused by hurricanes.
For more information, see the section on seiche/coastal flooding failures in the State Hazard Mitigation Plan: Section 2.8
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Earthquake
Although most earthquakes are unnoticeable in Ohio, there have been numerous quakes with a magnitude of 2.0 or higher over the last several years.
Earthquakes in Ohio are primarily located the northeast and far west-central portions of the state and historically have not exceeded 5.4 magnitude.
An earthquake results from a release of energy from the Earth creating seismic waves.
Earthquakes are caused mostly by tectonic plate movement known as geologic faults, but also by volcanic activity and landslides. The seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time. The magnitude of an earthquake is measured by the Richter scale while the intensity is measured on the Mercalli scale. The most substantial known earthquake in Ohio history was the Anna (Shelby County) earthquake, (see here) which occurred on March 9, 1937. It was centered in western Ohi and had a magnitude of 5.4, and was of intensity VIII ( USGS historic description).
For more information, see the section on earthquakes in the State Hazard Mitigation Plan: Section 2.9
Reference Links:
- http://geosurvey.ohiodnr.gov/earthquakes-ohioseis/ohioseis-home
Link to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological Survey Ohio Seismic Network (OhioSeis) which consists of 25 cooperative, volunteer-operated seismic stations at colleges, universities, and other institutions across the state.
- http://geosurvey.ohiodnr.gov/earthquakes-ohioseis/ohioseis-home
Link to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological Survey Ohio Earthquake Information Center.
- http://earthquake.usgs.gov/monitoring/anss/regions/mid/
Link to USGS Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS) providing accurate and timely data and information products for seismic events, including their effects on buildings and structures, employing modern monitoring methods and technologies.
- http://www.fema.gov/quakesmart
The QuakeSmart toolkit provides actionable and scalable guidance and tools to the private sector, its owners, managers, and employees about the importance of earthquake mitigation and the simple things they can do to reduce the potential of earthquake damages, injuries, and financial losses.
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Coastal Erosion
The excessive erosion of the Lake Erie shoreline can be considered a hazard due to properties located on or near the shoreline. Coastal erosion is defined as the gradual wearing away of the earth’s surface by the natural forces of wind and water. The geologic settings vary throughout the length of Ohio’s coast causing significant coastal erosion in this area.
For more information, see the section on coastal erosion in the State Hazard Mitigation Plan: Section 2.10
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Drought
Within the State of Ohio, the potential for drought to occur is equal in all sections of the state. However, the effects of drought vary from farming difficulties to water consumption in different parts of Ohio. A drought is extended period of time when an area has a deficiency in its water supply due to a lack of precipitation. The four primary types of drought: meteorological, hydrological, agricultural and socioeconomic.
For more information, see the section on drought in the State Hazard Mitigation Plan: Section 2.11
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Severe Summer Storms
Severe summer storms and associated high wind / hail events are common throughout Ohio and reported hundreds of times each year. Severe summer storms traditionally precede an approaching cold air mass. Key components to the formation of storms are a low pressure zone, high pressure zone and the jet stream. Lightning is another main concern throughout Ohio damaging trees, utilities, structures and sometimes loss of life.
For more information, see the section on drought in the State Hazard Mitigation Plan: Section 2.12
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Invasive Species
According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, approximately 75 percent of plant species are native to Ohio. The remaining species were introduced by other states or countries and have become invasive and destructive to natural areas.
For more information, see the section on drought in the State Hazard Mitigation Plan: Section 2.13
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Land Subsidence
In Ohio the two primary causes are abandoned underground mines (AUMs) and karst (glacial deposits). Land subsidence is a gradual settling or sudden sinking of the Earth's surface due to several factors. Mining techniques create voids in the earth that cause instability throughout the surface. Much like in areas of excessive mining, in areas of karst deposits, groundwater dissolves away the limestone or dolomite creating voids under the Earth’s surface. Soil type throughout the state also plays a role in land subsidence since some types expand when wet and contract when dry.
For more information, see the section on drought in the State Hazard Mitigation Plan: Section 2.14
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Disasters
Disaster History
Click here for a listing (Declaration number, declaration date, and brief description) of each declared disaster and emergency declaration within the State of Ohio. Information includes: the counties involved, the event type(s), what happened, casualties, damage amounts, etc.
Disaster Declaration
This map shows the Presidential Disaster Declarations for each county in Ohio between 1964 and April 24, 2009.
County Hazard Identification/Risk Analysis (HIRA)
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