Photo: Billy Hathorn at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Oberlin faces more hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oberlin gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hurricanes (34%). Flood insurance has paid 20 claims here since 1982.
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 Oberlin’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Oberlin 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
Hurricanes
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 Oberlin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oberlin, and Oberlin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 34%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oberlin’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Oberlin: $613K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oberlin flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oberlin, from FEMA’s records: 22.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Barry5 claims · $362K
- Hurricane Delta3 claims · $133K
Oberlin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Allen Parish.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oberlin
Disasters that paid out in Oberlin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Oberlin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Landslides, and Mudslides$9K to the Town of Oberlin for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Delta67 households applied for aid$115K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $133K
- 2020Hurricane Laura784 households applied for aid$820K aid approved$15K to the Town of Oberlin for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Harvey1 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding41 households applied for aid$118K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Isaac24 households applied for aid$27K aid approved
Show all 12
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$16K to the Town of Oberlin for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Ike37 households applied for aid$26K aid approved$407K to the Town of Oberlin for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav292 households applied for aid$176K aid approved$12K to the Town of Oberlin for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Rita1,317 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$20K to the Town of Oberlin for repairs
- 2002Hurricane Lili$10K to the Town of Oberlin for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Allen Parish has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Allen Parish, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Oberlin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oberlin archive →Get ready for what Oberlin 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Oberlin
Is Oberlin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oberlin has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hurricanes (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oberlin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Oberlin since 1982, $639K in all, or 22.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Barry (5).
Is Oberlin 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 Allen Parish, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Oberlin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oberlin’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 Oberlin?
By FEMA money that reached Oberlin, Hurricane Rita (2005): 1,317 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved, and $20K to the Town of Oberlin for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Barry: 5 paid, $362K.
Is Oberlin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Oberlin’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oberlin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oberlin’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.