Photo: Nheyob · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Dublin than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dublin gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #698 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 7 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 stands out about Dublin’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Dublin 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 Dublin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dublin, and Dublin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
B #698 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dublin’s residents live in 16 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, Dublin has more expected damage per building than 70% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.5M a year in losses across Dublin: $13.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dublin flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dublin, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Erin1 claim · $254
Dublin 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dublin
Disasters that paid out in Dublin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dublin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$193K to the City of Dublin for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$174K to the City of Dublin for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$96K to the City of Dublin for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides7 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$19K to the City of Dublin for repairs
- 2004Snow$65K to the City of Dublin for repairs
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds24 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$45K to the City of Dublin for repairs
Its 2 counties have had 20 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 Dublin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dublin archive →Dublin and its neighbors
Dublin is 6th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perry Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Liberty Township | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Columbus | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 429 |
| Concord Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Washington Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Dublin | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Jerome Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Shawnee Hills | — | 946 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 Dublin 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 Dublin
Is Dublin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dublin has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #698 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 Dublin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Dublin since 1981, $40K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Erin (1).
Is Dublin 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 Dublin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dublin’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 Dublin?
By FEMA money that reached Dublin, Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds (2012): $193K to the City of Dublin for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Erin: 1 paid, $254.
Is Dublin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Dublin’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dublin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dublin’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.