Photo: User:OHWiki · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Bucyrus faces more hazard damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bucyrus gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #912 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 59 claims here since 1981.
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 Bucyrus’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bucyrus 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
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 Bucyrus’ grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bucyrus, and Bucyrus’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C #912 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bucyrus’ residents live in 4 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, Bucyrus has more expected damage per building than 92% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.4M a year in losses across Bucyrus: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bucyrus flood? Sometimes: 59 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bucyrus, from FEMA’s records: 10.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms9 claims · $156K
Bucyrus isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Crawford County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bucyrus
Disasters that paid out in Bucyrus itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bucyrus), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tornadoes15 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes1,167 households applied for aid$2.3M aid approved$167K to the City of Bucyrus for repairs19 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides237 households applied for aid$126K aid approved$67K to the City of Bucyrus for repairs
- 2004Snow$11K to the City of Bucyrus for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding92 households applied for aid$187K aid approved
Crawford County has had 12 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 Bucyrus after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bucyrus archive →Bucyrus and its neighbors
Bucyrus 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty Township | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Whetstone Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Holmes Township | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Bucyrus | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
| Bucyrus Township | — | 756 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Bucyrus 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.
- 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 Bucyrus
Is Bucyrus at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bucyrus has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #912 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bucyrus flood?
Flood insurance has paid 59 claims in Bucyrus since 1981, $1.5M in all, or 10.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (9).
Is Bucyrus 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 Crawford County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bucyrus?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bucyrus’ 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 Bucyrus?
By FEMA money that reached Bucyrus, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2007): 1,167 households applied for aid, $2.3M approved, and $167K to the City of Bucyrus for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 9 paid, $156K.
Is Bucyrus at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Bucyrus’ rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bucyrus.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bucyrus’ 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.