Camden City Hall and Opera House · Photo: Christopher L. Riley · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Camden’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Camden gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1989.
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 Camden 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 Camden’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Camden, and Camden’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Camden’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $892K a year in losses across Camden: $670K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Camden flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Camden, from FEMA’s records: 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Camden isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Preble County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Camden
Disasters that paid out in Camden itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Camden), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$10K to the Village of Camden for repairs
- 2004Snow$7K to the Village of Camden for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$2K to the Village of Camden for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Preble County has had 8 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 Camden after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Camden archive →Camden and its neighbors
Camden is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasper Township | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Somers Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Camden | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Camden 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 Camden
Is Camden at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Camden has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (15%). 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 Camden flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Camden since 1989, $14K in all, or 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Camden 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 Preble County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Camden?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Camden’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 Camden?
By FEMA money that reached Camden, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $10K to the Village of Camden for repairs.
Is Camden at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Camden’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Camden.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Camden’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.