Photo: Weslee3 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Centerville faces less hazard damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Centerville gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #90 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 stands out about Centerville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Centerville 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
Earthquakes
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 Centerville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Centerville, and Centerville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 6% (higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #90 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Centerville’s residents live in 11 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, Centerville has less expected damage per building than 91% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.6M a year in losses across Centerville: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Centerville flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Centerville, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Centerville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Montgomery County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Centerville
Disasters that paid out in Centerville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Centerville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$309K to the City of Centerville for repairs
- 2004Snow$24K to the City of Centerville for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$30K to the City of Centerville for repairs
Montgomery County has had 10 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 Centerville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Centerville archive →Centerville and its neighbors
Centerville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centerville | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Washington Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Kettering | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Bellbrook | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Sugarcreek Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Centerville 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Centerville
Is Centerville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Centerville has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #90 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and earthquakes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Centerville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Centerville since 1989, $13K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Centerville 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 Montgomery County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Centerville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Centerville’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 Centerville?
By FEMA money that reached Centerville, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $309K to the City of Centerville for repairs.
Is Centerville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Centerville’s rate for it is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Centerville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Centerville’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.