Photo: David Wilson · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Delphos as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Delphos gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns, #813 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%). Flood insurance has paid 40 claims here since 1981.
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 Delphos 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
Earthquakes
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 Delphos’ grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Delphos, and Delphos’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #813 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Delphos’ residents live in 4 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, Delphos has more expected damage per building than 82% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Delphos: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Delphos flood? Sometimes: 40 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Delphos, from FEMA’s records: 12.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms3 claims · $17K
- Tropical Storm Erin1 claim · $654
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $3K
Delphos isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Van Wert County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Delphos
Disasters that paid out in Delphos itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Delphos), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes9 households applied for aid$6K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Van Wert County has had 9 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 Delphos after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Delphos archive →Delphos and its neighbors
Delphos is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marion Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Delphos | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
| Jennings Township | C−more damage than 78% | 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 Delphos 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Delphos
Is Delphos at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Delphos has higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #813 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Delphos flood?
Flood insurance has paid 40 claims in Delphos since 1981, $324K in all, or 12.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (3).
Is Delphos 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 Van Wert County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Delphos?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Delphos’ 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 Delphos?
By FEMA money that reached Delphos, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2007): 9 households applied for aid, $6K approved. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 3 paid, $17K.
Is Delphos at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Delphos’ rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Delphos.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Delphos’ 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.