Photo: Bwsmith84. · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Belpre’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Belpre gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #945 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 91 claims here since 1979.
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 Belpre 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 Belpre’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Belpre, and Belpre’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #945 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Belpre’s residents live in 4 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, Belpre has more expected damage per building than 95% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Belpre: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Belpre flood? Sometimes: 91 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Belpre, from FEMA’s records: 26.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan32 claims · $516K
Belpre isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Belpre
Disasters that paid out in Belpre itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Belpre), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides$81K to the City of Belpre for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$43K to the City of Belpre for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides14 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$4K to the City of Belpre for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding130 households applied for aid$458K aid approved$45K to the City of Belpre for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides4 households applied for aid$44 aid approved$6K to the City of Belpre for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$14K to the City of Belpre for repairs
Washington County has had 16 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 Belpre after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Belpre archive →Belpre and its neighbors
Belpre is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belpre Township | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Parkersburg | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 125 |
| Belpre | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 91 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Belpre 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 Belpre
Is Belpre at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Belpre has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #945 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Belpre flood?
Flood insurance has paid 91 claims in Belpre since 1979, $1.1M in all, or 26.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 15 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (32).
Is Belpre 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 Washington County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Belpre?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Belpre’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 Belpre?
By FEMA money that reached Belpre, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 130 households applied for aid, $458K approved, and $45K to the City of Belpre for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 32 paid, $516K.
Is Belpre at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Belpre’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Belpre.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Belpre’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.