Athens State Hospital Cow Barn · Photo: Ed!(Hall of Fame) · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Athens than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Athens gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #957 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 26 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 stands out about Athens’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Athens 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
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 Athens’ grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Athens, and Athens’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #957 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Athens’ residents live in 8 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, Athens has more expected damage per building than 96% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.7M a year in losses across Athens: $9.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Athens flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Athens, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Fred1 claim · $69K
- The Late winter storms1 claim · $6K
Athens isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Athens County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Athens
Disasters that paid out in Athens itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Athens), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides$564K to the City of Athens for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$57K to the City of Athens for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$68K to the City of Athens for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides17 households applied for aid$69K aid approved$859K to the City of Athens for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding23 households applied for aid$74K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$559 aid approved$1K to the City of Athens for repairs
Show all 8
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides$26K to the City of Athens for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$117K to the City of Athens for repairs
Athens County has had 15 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 Athens after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Athens archive →Get ready for what Athens 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.
- 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 Athens
Is Athens at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Athens has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #957 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Athens flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in Athens since 1978, $278K in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Fred (1).
Is Athens 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 Athens County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Athens?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Athens’ 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 Athens?
By FEMA money that reached Athens, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 17 households applied for aid, $69K approved, and $859K to the City of Athens for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Fred: 1 paid, $69K.
Is Athens at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Athens’ rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Athens.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Athens’ 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.