Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Arcanum than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arcanum gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then tornadoes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2005.
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 Arcanum’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Arcanum 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 Arcanum’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Arcanum, and Arcanum’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 25%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Arcanum’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $735K a year in losses across Arcanum: $514K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Arcanum flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Arcanum, from FEMA’s records: 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Arcanum isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Darke County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Arcanum
Disasters that paid out in Arcanum itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Arcanum), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Snow$4K to the Village of Arcanum for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$3K to the Village of Arcanum for repairs
Darke County has had 10 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 Arcanum after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Arcanum archive →Get ready for what Arcanum 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 Arcanum
Is Arcanum at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arcanum has lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and tornadoes (25%). 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 Arcanum flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Arcanum since 2005, $30K in all, or 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Arcanum 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 Darke County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Arcanum?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Arcanum’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 Arcanum?
By FEMA money that reached Arcanum, Snow (2004): $4K to the Village of Arcanum for repairs.
Is Arcanum at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Arcanum’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Arcanum.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Arcanum’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.