Photo: Bwsmith84 · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Barnesville’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Barnesville gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #20 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). 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 Barnesville 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 Barnesville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Barnesville, and Barnesville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #20 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Barnesville’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, Barnesville has less expected damage per building than 98% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $662K a year in losses across Barnesville: $496K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Barnesville flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Barnesville. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Barnesville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Belmont County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Barnesville
Disasters that paid out in Barnesville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Barnesville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$25K to the Village of Barnesville for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides6 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$162K to the Village of Barnesville for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding23 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$251K to the Village of Barnesville for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides$3K to the Village of Barnesville for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$10K to the Village of Barnesville for repairs
Belmont County has had 18 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 Barnesville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Barnesville archive →Get ready for what Barnesville 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 Barnesville
Is Barnesville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Barnesville has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #20 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Barnesville 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 Belmont County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Barnesville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Barnesville’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 Barnesville?
By FEMA money that reached Barnesville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 23 households applied for aid, $15K approved, and $251K to the Village of Barnesville for repairs.
Is Barnesville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Barnesville’s rate for it is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Barnesville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Barnesville’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.