Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Worthington than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Worthington gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2025.
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 Worthington 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
Earthquakes
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 Worthington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Worthington, and Worthington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
C higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Worthington’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $820K a year in losses across Worthington: $513K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Worthington flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2025
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Worthington, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $26K
Worthington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Greene County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Worthington
Disasters that paid out in Worthington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Worthington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes122 households applied for aid$459K aid approved$69K to the Town of Worthington for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$542 aid approved
Greene County has had 16 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 Worthington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Worthington archive →Get ready for what Worthington 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Worthington
Is Worthington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Worthington has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (8%). 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 Worthington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Worthington since 2025, $26K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (1).
Is Worthington 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 Greene County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Worthington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Worthington’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 Worthington?
By FEMA money that reached Worthington, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2008): 122 households applied for aid, $459K approved, and $69K to the Town of Worthington for repairs. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 1 paid, $26K.
Is Worthington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Worthington’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Worthington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Worthington’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.