Photo: Sixflashphoto · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Blendon Township faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blendon Township gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #851 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 Blendon Township 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 Blendon Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Blendon Township, and Blendon Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #851 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Blendon Township’s residents live in 12 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, Blendon Township has more expected damage per building than 86% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Blendon Township: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Blendon Township flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Blendon Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Blendon Township 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Blendon Township
Disasters that paid out in Blendon Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Blendon Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$17K to Blendon Township for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$40K to Blendon Township for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$9K to Blendon Township 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 Blendon Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Blendon Township archive →Blendon Township and its neighbors
Blendon Township is 6th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minerva Park | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Plain Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Columbus | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 429 |
| Westerville | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Genoa Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Blendon Township | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Huber Ridge | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Blendon Township 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 Blendon Township
Is Blendon Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blendon Township has higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #851 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 Blendon Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Blendon Township since 1979, $12K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Blendon Township 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 Blendon Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Blendon Township’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 Blendon Township?
By FEMA money that reached Blendon Township, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $40K to Blendon Township for repairs.
Is Blendon Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Blendon Township’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Blendon Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Blendon Township’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.