Photo: Unknown photographer · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Byesville faces less hazard damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Byesville gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 63 claims here since 1980.
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 Byesville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Byesville 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
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 Byesville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Byesville, and Byesville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 7% (higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts).
A lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Byesville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $507K a year in losses across Byesville: $430K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Byesville flood? Sometimes: 63 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Byesville, from FEMA’s records: 57.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan3 claims · $4K
Byesville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Guernsey County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Byesville
Disasters that paid out in Byesville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Byesville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$17K to the Village of Byesville for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$1K to the Village of Byesville for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides10 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding117 households applied for aid$431K aid approved$133K to the Village of Byesville for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding20 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$3K to the Village of Byesville for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$6K to the Village of Byesville for repairs
Guernsey County has had 13 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 Byesville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Byesville archive →Byesville and its neighbors
Byesville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Byesville | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 63 |
| Jackson Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 74 |
| Cambridge Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 126 |
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 Byesville 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.
- 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 Byesville
Is Byesville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Byesville has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (7%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Byesville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 63 claims in Byesville since 1980, $1.4M in all, or 57.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 15 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (3).
Is Byesville 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 Guernsey County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Byesville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Byesville’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 Byesville?
By FEMA money that reached Byesville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 117 households applied for aid, $431K approved, and $133K to the Village of Byesville for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 3 paid, $4K.
Is Byesville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Byesville’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Byesville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Byesville’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.