Photo: The original uploader was Willjay at English Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Cambridge Township faces less hazard damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cambridge Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #413 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 126 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 Cambridge Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cambridge Township 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
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 Cambridge Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cambridge Township, and Cambridge Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #413 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cambridge Township’s residents live in 9 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, Cambridge Township has less expected damage per building than 58% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Cambridge Township: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cambridge Township flood? Yes: 126 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cambridge Township, from FEMA’s records: 17.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan2 claims · $8K
Cambridge Township 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cambridge Township
Disasters that paid out in Cambridge Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Cambridge Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$12K to Cambridge Township for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$6K to Cambridge Township for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$96K to Cambridge Township for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$12K to Cambridge Township for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to Cambridge Township for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides$75K to Cambridge Township for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$9K to Cambridge Township 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 Cambridge Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cambridge Township archive →Cambridge Township and its neighbors
Cambridge Township is 4th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Byesville | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 63 |
| Jackson Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 74 |
| Center Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Cambridge Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 126 |
| Westland Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Cambridge | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 125 |
| Adams Township | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Liberty Township | — | 943 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 Cambridge Township 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.
- 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 Cambridge Township
Is Cambridge Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cambridge Township has lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #413 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cambridge Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 126 claims in Cambridge Township since 1979, $4.1M in all, or 17.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (2).
Is Cambridge Township 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 Cambridge Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cambridge Township’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 Cambridge Township?
By FEMA money that reached Cambridge Township, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): $96K to Cambridge Township for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 2 paid, $8K.
Is Cambridge Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Cambridge Township’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cambridge Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cambridge Township’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.