Photo: Major optics · CC BY 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Bluffton than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bluffton gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #646 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 63 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 stands out about Bluffton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bluffton 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
Earthquakes
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 Bluffton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bluffton, and Bluffton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #646 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bluffton’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, Bluffton has more expected damage per building than 65% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Bluffton: $908K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bluffton flood? Sometimes: 63 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bluffton, from FEMA’s records: 40.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms7 claims · $147K
- Tropical Storm Erin2 claims · $88K
Bluffton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Allen County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bluffton
Disasters that paid out in Bluffton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Bluffton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$14K to the Village of Bluffton for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes180 households applied for aid$501K aid approved$51K to the Village of Bluffton for repairs16 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$20K to the Village of Bluffton for repairs
Allen County has had 6 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 Bluffton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bluffton archive →Get ready for what Bluffton 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Bluffton
Is Bluffton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bluffton has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #646 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bluffton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 63 claims in Bluffton since 1979, $1.3M in all, or 40.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (7).
Is Bluffton 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 Allen County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bluffton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bluffton’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 Bluffton?
By FEMA money that reached Bluffton, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2007): 180 households applied for aid, $501K approved, and $51K to the Village of Bluffton for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 7 paid, $147K.
Is Bluffton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Bluffton’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bluffton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bluffton’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.