Photo: Nyttend · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Ada than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ada gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #693 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (10%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Ada 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
Hail
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 Ada’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ada, and Ada’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B #693 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ada’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Ohio town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Ada has more expected damage per building than 70% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Ada: $888K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ada flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Ada. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Ada isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hardin County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ada
Disasters that paid out in Ada itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Ada), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$28K to the Village of Ada for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$4K to the Village of Ada for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes14 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$166K to the Village of Ada for repairs
- 2004Snow$5K to the Village of Ada for repairs
Hardin County has had 8 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 Ada after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ada archive →Get ready for what Ada 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Ada
Is Ada at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ada has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #693 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Ada 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 Hardin County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Ada?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ada’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 Ada?
By FEMA money that reached Ada, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): $166K to the Village of Ada for repairs.
Is Ada at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Ada’s rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ada.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ada’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.