Photo: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) · CC BY-SA 2.5FEMA puts Dover’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dover gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #288 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 9 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 Dover’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Dover 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
Hail
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 Dover’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dover, and Dover’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hail at 6% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
A #288 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dover’s residents live in 6 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, Dover has less expected damage per building than 71% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Dover: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dover flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dover, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Dover isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tuscarawas County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dover
Disasters that paid out in Dover itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dover), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$132K to the City of Dover for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides20 households applied for aid$29K aid approved$204K to the City of Dover for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$713 aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides2 households applied for aid$740 aid approved
Tuscarawas County has had 10 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 Dover after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dover archive →Dover and its neighbors
Dover has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Dover Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| New Philadelphia | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
| Parral | — | 205 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Dover 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Dover
Is Dover at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dover has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #288 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hail (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dover flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Dover since 1978, $94K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Dover 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 Tuscarawas County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dover?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dover’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 Dover?
By FEMA money that reached Dover, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 20 households applied for aid, $29K approved, and $204K to the City of Dover for repairs.
Is Dover at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Dover’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dover.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dover’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.