Patton House · Photo: Valis55 · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Wooster than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wooster gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then earthquakes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2019.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Wooster faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Earthquakes
Ice storms
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Wooster’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wooster, and Wooster’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 10%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wooster’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $615K a year in losses across Wooster: $308K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wooster flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2019
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wooster, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Wooster isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Faulkner County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Wooster
Disasters that paid out in Wooster itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Wooster), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Faulkner County has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Wooster after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wooster archive →Get ready for what Wooster faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Wooster
Is Wooster at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wooster has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and earthquakes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wooster flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Wooster since 2019, $10K in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Wooster in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Faulkner County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wooster?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wooster’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Wooster?
By FEMA money that reached Wooster, Severe Storms and Flooding (2019): 2 households applied for aid, $4K approved.
Is Wooster at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Wooster’s rate for it is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wooster.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wooster’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.