Photo: Nyttend · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Dinsmore Township than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dinsmore Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #448 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then earthquakes (23%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Dinsmore 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
Earthquakes
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 Dinsmore Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dinsmore Township, and Dinsmore Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 23% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #448 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dinsmore 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, Dinsmore Township has less expected damage per building than 55% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Dinsmore Township: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dinsmore Township flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Dinsmore Township. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Dinsmore 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: Shelby County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dinsmore Township
Disasters that paid out in Dinsmore Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Dinsmore Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$2K to Dinsmore Township for repairs
- 2004Snow$2K to Dinsmore Township for repairs
Shelby County has had 11 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 Dinsmore Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dinsmore Township archive →Dinsmore Township and its neighbors
Dinsmore Township is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson Township | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Dinsmore Township | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Van Buren Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Franklin Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Pusheta Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
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 Dinsmore 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Dinsmore Township
Is Dinsmore Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dinsmore Township has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #448 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and earthquakes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Dinsmore 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 Shelby County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dinsmore Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dinsmore 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 Dinsmore Township?
By FEMA money that reached Dinsmore Township, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): $2K to Dinsmore Township for repairs.
Is Dinsmore Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Dinsmore Township’s rate for it is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dinsmore Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dinsmore 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.