Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Chillicothe than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chillicothe gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #693 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1978.
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 Chillicothe’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Chillicothe 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 Chillicothe’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chillicothe, and Chillicothe’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts).
B #693 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chillicothe’s residents live in 7 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, Chillicothe has more expected damage per building than 70% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.9M a year in losses across Chillicothe: $5.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chillicothe flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chillicothe, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Chillicothe isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ross County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chillicothe
Disasters that paid out in Chillicothe itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Chillicothe), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$24K to the City of Chillicothe for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides97 households applied for aid$119K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides31 households applied for aid$66K aid approved$4K to the City of Chillicothe for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow6 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$24K to the City of Chillicothe for repairs
Ross 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 Chillicothe after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chillicothe archive →Chillicothe and its neighbors
Chillicothe 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chillicothe | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Scioto Township | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Springfield Township | B−less damage than 53% | 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 Chillicothe 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 Chillicothe
Is Chillicothe at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chillicothe has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #693 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chillicothe flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Chillicothe since 1978, $60K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Chillicothe 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 Ross County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Chillicothe?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chillicothe’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 Chillicothe?
By FEMA money that reached Chillicothe, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 97 households applied for aid, $119K approved.
Is Chillicothe at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Chillicothe’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chillicothe.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chillicothe’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.