Riverside Chapel · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Defiance’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Defiance gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #952 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 248 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 Defiance’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Defiance 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 Defiance’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Defiance, and Defiance’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 10%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #952 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Defiance’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, Defiance has more expected damage per building than 96% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.4M a year in losses across Defiance: $6.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Defiance flood? Yes: 248 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Defiance, from FEMA’s records: 30.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms1 claim · $10K
Defiance isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Defiance County.The storms Defiance remembers
None of the 5 disasters declared for Defiance County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Defiance itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 198255 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Defiance County
- 200838 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 198536 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Defiance County has had 5 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 Defiance after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Defiance archive →Get ready for what Defiance 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 Defiance
Is Defiance at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Defiance has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #952 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Defiance flood?
Flood insurance has paid 248 claims in Defiance since 1978, $2.3M in all, or 30.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 26 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (1).
Is Defiance 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 Defiance County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Defiance?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Defiance’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 Defiance?
By flood claims, Late winter storms: 1 paid, $10K.
Is Defiance at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Defiance’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Defiance.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Defiance’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.