Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Elida’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elida gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2008.
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 Elida 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 Elida’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Elida, and Elida’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 7% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
C higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Elida’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $690K a year in losses across Elida: $633K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Elida flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Elida, from FEMA’s records: 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms1 claim · $37K
Elida isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Allen County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Elida
Disasters that paid out in Elida itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Elida), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes3 households applied for aid$553 aid approved
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$5K to the Village of Elida for repairs
Allen County has had 6 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 Elida after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Elida archive →Get ready for what Elida 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 Elida
Is Elida at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elida has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Elida flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Elida since 2008, $122K in all, or 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (1).
Is Elida 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 Allen County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Elida?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Elida’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 Elida?
By FEMA money that reached Elida, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): $5K to the Village of Elida for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 1 paid, $37K.
Is Elida at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Elida’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Elida.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Elida’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.