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Downtown Columbus View from Main St Bridge - edit1Photo: Paul Wasneski · Public domain
B+Hazard risk
Natural hazards in Columbus · FEMA

Less hazard damage per building is expected in Columbus than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Columbus gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #648 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 429 claims here since 1978.

River and rain flooding 85%Tornadoes 8%Hail 3%

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

less than 67%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#648 of 993 in Ohio
Hazard risk
B+#648 of 993
in Ohio · lower than 67% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
85% of expected building damage
Flood claims
429
paid since 1978 · $4.3M
Flooded more than once
46
properties · 1 “severe repetitive loss”
Disasters paid out here
9
of 21 declared for its 3 counties

What stands out about Columbus’ natural hazards

From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.

Lower expected damage than 67% of U.S. townsFEMA’s model of yearly storm and flood damage per dollar of building.429 paid flood claims since 1978$4.3M in all; 46 properties flooded more than once.Made safer with FEMA grants67 flood-prone properties bought out and cleared; 19 storm safe rooms built with FEMA grants.Remembers 197998 flood claims were paid for 1979 alone, the most of any year.
By hazard

What Columbus 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

85%of expected building damage
About average · higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 3 times a year in the area

Tornadoes

8%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts
Smaller shares here
 Hail Earthquakes Strong wind Ice storms Winter storms Lightning Hurricanes Wildfire Cold waves Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity
People, not buildings.Counting harm to people as well as buildings, FEMA’s model puts cold waves at 13% of Columbus’ expected losses. Cold waves do little damage to buildings (0.0%), so they aren’t part of the grade.

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind Columbus’ grade

River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Columbus, and Columbus’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts).

Where Columbus sits
Columbus
Least damageMiddleMost damage

B+ #648 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).

Columbus’ residents live in 266 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding85%Tornadoes8%Hail3%Everything else4%

The typical Ohio town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Columbus has more expected damage per building than 65% of Ohio towns.

Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Columbus has lower expected damage per building than 79% (#84 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $219M, is the 38th largest of those 400.

A firm figure. It combines 266 census tracts by where Columbus’ residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does Columbus flood? Yes: 429 flood claims since 1978

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Columbus, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1978: 2 claims1979: 98 claims1980: 15 claims1981: 30 claims1982: 5 claims1983: 0 claims1984: 0 claims1985: 0 claims1986: 1 claim1987: 0 claims1988: 6 claims1989: 10 claims1990: 20 claims1991: 0 claims1992: 26 claims1993: 7 claims1994: 2 claims1995: 18 claims1996: 1 claim1997: 1 claim1998: 11 claims1999: 0 claims2000: 0 claims2001: 0 claims2002: 4 claims2003: 11 claims2004: 24 claims2005: 20 claims2006: 0 claims2007: 0 claims2008: 4 claims2009: 0 claims2010: 0 claims2011: 3 claims2012: 1 claim2013: 1 claim2014: 10 claims2015: 3 claims2016: 7 claims2017: 3 claims2018: 2 claims2019: 1 claim2020: 44 claims2021: 0 claims2022: 30 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 2 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 6 claims197919812020
19782026
Biggest named events
  • The Late winter storms1 claim · $5K
  • The March storm1 claim · $3K
429
paid claims since 1978
$4.3M
paid to owners
46
homes flooded more than once
$10K
average claim
Homes that flooded again and again
FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (1)Flooded 2+ times
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Columbus isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: Franklin County.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
67flood-prone properties bought out and cleared
19storm safe rooms built
Disasters

9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Columbus

Disasters that paid out in Columbus itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Columbus), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$1.1M to the City of Columbus for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
  2. 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$1.7M to the City of Columbus for repairs
  3. 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$276K to the City of Columbus for repairs
  4. 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$21K to the City of Columbus for repairs20 flood claims paid that year
  5. 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides1,517 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$426K to the City of Columbus for repairs
  6. 2004Snow$165K to the City of Columbus for repairs
Show all 9
  1. 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides329 households applied for aid$570K aid approved
  2. 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds1,204 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved
  3. 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$257K to the City of Columbus for repairs
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in Columbusits 3 counties only

Its 3 counties have had 21 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.

Were you here?

Old photos of Columbus after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Columbus archive →
Next door

Columbus and its neighbors

Columbus is 7th of the 11 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.

Hamilton Township: hazard risk A+Norwich Township: hazard risk A−Jackson Township: hazard risk AMifflin Township: hazard risk BMadison Township: hazard risk B−Plain Township: hazard risk A−Washington Township: hazard risk BBlendon Township: hazard risk B−Prairie Township: hazard risk A−Hilliard: hazard risk A−Hamilton TownshipNorwich TownshipJackson TownshipMifflin TownshipMadison TownshipPlain TownshipWashington TownshipBlendon TownshipPrairie TownshipHilliardColumbus
Lowest fifthSecondMiddleFourthHighest fifth
TownHazard riskMostly (buildings)Flood claims
Hamilton TownshipA+less damage than 97%river and rain flooding—
Jackson TownshipAless damage than 89%river and rain flooding29
HilliardA−less damage than 78%river and rain flooding3
Prairie TownshipA−less damage than 77%river and rain flooding7
Norwich TownshipA−less damage than 76%river and rain flooding3
Plain TownshipA−less damage than 76%river and rain flooding1
ColumbusB+less damage than 67%river and rain flooding429
Washington TownshipBless damage than 64%river and rain flooding—
Mifflin TownshipBless damage than 58%river and rain flooding12
Madison TownshipB−more damage than 53%river and rain flooding48
Blendon TownshipB−more damage than 55%river and rain flooding3

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.

Be ready

Get ready for what Columbus faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Tornado warnings
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Columbus

Is Columbus at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Columbus has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #648 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does Columbus flood?

Flood insurance has paid 429 claims in Columbus since 1978, $4.3M in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 46 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (1).

Is Columbus 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 Franklin County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in Columbus?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Columbus’ 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 Columbus?

By FEMA money that reached Columbus, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 1,517 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved, and $426K to the City of Columbus for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 1 paid, $5K.

Is Columbus at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Columbus’ rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Columbus.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Columbus’ 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.