Photo: 636Buster · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, East Palestine faces less hazard damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Palestine gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #723 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 2004.
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 East Palestine 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
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 East Palestine’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Palestine, and East Palestine’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
B #723 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East Palestine’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, East Palestine has more expected damage per building than 73% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across East Palestine: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Palestine flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Palestine, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
East Palestine isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Columbiana County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to East Palestine
Disasters that paid out in East Palestine itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of East Palestine), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding13 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding64 households applied for aid$49K aid approved$1.2M to the Village of East Palestine for repairs
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds3 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$23K to the Village of East Palestine for repairs
Columbiana County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of East Palestine after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Palestine archive →Get ready for what East Palestine 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.
- 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 East Palestine
Is East Palestine at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Palestine has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #723 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does East Palestine flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in East Palestine since 2004, $24K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is East Palestine 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 Columbiana County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in East Palestine?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Palestine’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 East Palestine?
By FEMA money that reached East Palestine, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 64 households applied for aid, $49K approved, and $1.2M to the Village of East Palestine for repairs.
Is East Palestine at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and East Palestine’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Palestine.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Palestine’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.