Photo: Tedder · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Ashland’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ashland gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2002.
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 Ashland 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
Strong wind
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 Ashland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ashland, and Ashland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 10%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Ashland’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Ashland: $276K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ashland flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2002
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ashland, from FEMA’s records: 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $13K
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $2K
Ashland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cass County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ashland
Disasters that paid out in Ashland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Ashland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$8K to the Village of Ashland for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$38K to the Village of Ashland for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$40K to the Village of Ashland for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$3K to the Village of Ashland for repairs
Cass County has had 18 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 Ashland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ashland archive →Get ready for what Ashland 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Ashland
Is Ashland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ashland has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (10%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ashland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Ashland since 2002, $40K in all, or 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is Ashland 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 Cass County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ashland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ashland’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 Ashland?
By FEMA money that reached Ashland, Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding (2002): $40K to the Village of Ashland for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $13K.
Is Ashland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Ashland’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ashland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ashland’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.