Photo: Logan Rickert · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Eaton than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eaton gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #640 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then tornadoes (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 stands out about Eaton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Eaton 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 Eaton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Eaton, and Eaton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 23%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #640 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Eaton’s residents live in 3 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, Eaton has more expected damage per building than 64% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Eaton: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Eaton flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Eaton. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Eaton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Preble County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Eaton
Disasters that paid out in Eaton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Eaton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$114K to the City of Eaton for repairs
- 2004Snow$10K to the City of Eaton for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$9K to the City of Eaton for repairs
Preble County has had 8 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 Eaton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Eaton archive →Get ready for what Eaton 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 Eaton
Is Eaton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eaton has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #640 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and tornadoes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Eaton 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 Preble County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Eaton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Eaton’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 Eaton?
By FEMA money that reached Eaton, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $114K to the City of Eaton for repairs.
Is Eaton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Eaton’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Eaton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Eaton’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.