Photo: Billwhittaker · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Shell Rock’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shell Rock gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 20 claims here since 1993.
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 stands out about Shell Rock’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Shell Rock 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
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 Shell Rock’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shell Rock, and Shell Rock’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 8%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Shell Rock’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Shell Rock: $794K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shell Rock flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shell Rock, from FEMA’s records: 29.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm6 claims · $392K
Shell Rock isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Butler County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Shell Rock
Disasters that paid out in Shell Rock itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Shell Rock), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$90K to the City of Shell Rock for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding84 households applied for aid$392K aid approved$153K to the City of Shell Rock for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$5K to the City of Shell Rock for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$12K to the City of Shell Rock for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Severe Storms and Flooding$27K to the City of Shell Rock for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$5K to the City of Shell Rock for repairs
Butler County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Shell Rock after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shell Rock archive →Get ready for what Shell Rock 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.
- 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 Shell Rock
Is Shell Rock at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shell Rock has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Shell Rock flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Shell Rock since 1993, $682K in all, or 29.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (6).
Is Shell Rock 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 Butler County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Shell Rock?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shell Rock’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 Shell Rock?
By FEMA money that reached Shell Rock, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 84 households applied for aid, $392K approved, and $153K to the City of Shell Rock for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 6 paid, $392K.
Is Shell Rock at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Shell Rock’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shell Rock.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shell Rock’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.