Dayton High School · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Dayton than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dayton gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #118 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 76 claims here since 1978.
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 Dayton 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 Dayton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dayton, and Dayton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 8%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #118 of 142 in Kentucky; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dayton’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Kentucky town has higher expected damage than 52% of U.S. towns; within the state, Dayton has more expected damage per building than 83% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Dayton: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dayton flood? Sometimes: 76 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dayton, from FEMA’s records: 27.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding5 claims · $303K
- The February Kentucky Flooding1 claim · $56K
Dayton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Campbell County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dayton
Disasters that paid out in Dayton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dayton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$500 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$5K to the City of Dayton for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$17K to the City of Dayton for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$27K to the City of Dayton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Campbell County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Dayton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dayton archive →Dayton and its neighbors
Dayton is 4th of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 723 |
| Fort Thomas | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Bellevue | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 62 |
| Dayton | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 76 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Dayton 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 Dayton
Is Dayton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dayton has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #118 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dayton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 76 claims in Dayton since 1978, $2.1M in all, or 27.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (5).
Is Dayton 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 Campbell County, 37% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dayton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dayton’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 Dayton?
By FEMA money that reached Dayton, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $27K to the City of Dayton for repairs. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 5 paid, $303K.
Is Dayton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Dayton’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dayton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dayton’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.