Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Botkins faces less hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Botkins gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then earthquakes (24%). 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 Botkins 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
Earthquakes
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 Botkins’ grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Botkins, and Botkins’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 24% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
A− lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Botkins’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $451K a year in losses across Botkins: $354K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Botkins flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Botkins. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Botkins isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Shelby County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Botkins
Disasters that paid out in Botkins itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Botkins), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$4K to the Village of Botkins for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$824 aid approved$14K to the Village of Botkins for repairs
- 2004Snow$3K to the Village of Botkins for repairs
Shelby County has had 11 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 Botkins after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Botkins archive →Get ready for what Botkins 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Botkins
Is Botkins at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Botkins has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and earthquakes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Botkins 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 Shelby County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Botkins?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Botkins’ 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 Botkins?
By FEMA money that reached Botkins, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 1 households applied for aid, $824 approved, and $14K to the Village of Botkins for repairs.
Is Botkins at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Botkins’ rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Botkins.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Botkins’ 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.