Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Catawba Island Township than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Catawba Island Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #544 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 13 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 Catawba Island 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 Catawba Island Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Catawba Island Township, and Catawba Island Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #544 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Catawba Island Township’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, Catawba Island Township has more expected damage per building than 55% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Catawba Island Township: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Catawba Island Township flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Catawba Island Township, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Catawba Island 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: Ottawa County.The storms Catawba Island Township remembers
None of the 10 disasters declared for Ottawa County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Catawba Island Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19827 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19854 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19801 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Ottawa County has had 10 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 Catawba Island Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Catawba Island Township archive →Catawba Island Township and its neighbors
Catawba Island Township is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Danbury Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 66 |
| Catawba Island Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Portage Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Put-in-Bay Township | — | 727 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 Catawba Island 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 Catawba Island Township
Is Catawba Island Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Catawba Island Township has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #544 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Catawba Island Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Catawba Island Township since 1980, $40K in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Catawba Island 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 Ottawa County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Catawba Island Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Catawba Island Township’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Catawba Island Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Catawba Island Township’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Catawba Island Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Catawba Island 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.