Concord Hicksite Friends Meeting House · Photo: Bwsmith84 · CC BY 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Colerain Township than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Colerain Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #970 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 88 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 Colerain 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
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 Colerain Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Colerain Township, and Colerain Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #970 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Colerain 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, Colerain Township has more expected damage per building than 98% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Colerain Township: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Colerain Township flood? Sometimes: 88 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Colerain Township, from FEMA’s records: 43.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan33 claims · $346K
Colerain 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: Belmont County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Colerain Township
Disasters that paid out in Colerain Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Colerain Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$956 aid approved56 flood claims paid that year
Belmont County has had 18 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 Colerain Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Colerain Township archive →Colerain Township and its neighbors
Colerain Township is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richland Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Wheeling Township | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Mount Pleasant Township | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Colerain Township | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 88 |
| Pease Township | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 148 |
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 Colerain 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.
- 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 Colerain Township
Is Colerain Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Colerain Township has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #970 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Colerain Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 88 claims in Colerain Township since 1978, $821K in all, or 43.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (33).
Is Colerain 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 Belmont County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Colerain Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Colerain 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 Colerain Township?
By FEMA money that reached Colerain Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 1 households applied for aid, $956 approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 33 paid, $346K.
Is Colerain Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Colerain Township’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Colerain Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Colerain 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.