Robert P. Duncan House · Photo: Skorry · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Bexley as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bexley gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #801 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 18 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 Bexley 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 Bexley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bexley, and Bexley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #801 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bexley’s residents live in 3 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, Bexley has more expected damage per building than 81% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.7M a year in losses across Bexley: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bexley flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bexley, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bexley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bexley
Disasters that paid out in Bexley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bexley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$22K to the City of Bexley for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$78K to the City of Bexley for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$11K to the City of Bexley for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$43K to the City of Bexley for repairs
- 2004Snow$16K to the City of Bexley for repairs
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds14 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$12K to the City of Bexley for repairs
Franklin County has had 17 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 Bexley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bexley archive →Get ready for what Bexley 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 Bexley
Is Bexley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bexley has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #801 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bexley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Bexley since 1978, $56K in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Bexley 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 Franklin County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bexley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bexley’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 Bexley?
By FEMA money that reached Bexley, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $78K to the City of Bexley for repairs.
Is Bexley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Bexley’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bexley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bexley’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.