Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Buckeye Lake faces more hazard damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buckeye Lake gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #941 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1997.
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 Buckeye Lake 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
Hail
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 Buckeye Lake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Buckeye Lake, and Buckeye Lake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 6%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #941 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Buckeye Lake’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, Buckeye Lake has more expected damage per building than 95% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Buckeye Lake: $898K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Buckeye Lake flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Buckeye Lake, from FEMA’s records: 6.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Buckeye Lake isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Licking County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Buckeye Lake
Disasters that paid out in Buckeye Lake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Buckeye Lake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$5K to the Village of Buckeye Lake for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides3 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$24K to the Village of Buckeye Lake for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides2 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Licking County has had 17 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 Buckeye Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Buckeye Lake archive →Buckeye Lake and its neighbors
Buckeye Lake is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harbor Hills | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Licking Township | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Union Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Buckeye Lake | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
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 Buckeye Lake 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Buckeye Lake
Is Buckeye Lake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buckeye Lake has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #941 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and hail (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Buckeye Lake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Buckeye Lake since 1997, $64K in all, or 6.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Buckeye Lake 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 Licking County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Buckeye Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Buckeye Lake’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 Buckeye Lake?
By FEMA money that reached Buckeye Lake, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 3 households applied for aid, $4K approved, and $24K to the Village of Buckeye Lake for repairs.
Is Buckeye Lake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Buckeye Lake’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Buckeye Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Buckeye Lake’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.