Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Etna Township faces less hazard damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Etna Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #352 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then hail (14%). Flood insurance has paid 18 claims here since 1982.
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 Etna Township 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 Etna Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Etna Township, and Etna Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 14%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
A #352 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Etna Township’s residents live in 7 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, Etna Township has less expected damage per building than 65% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Etna Township: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Etna Township flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Etna Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Etna Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Licking County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Etna Township
Disasters that paid out in Etna Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Etna Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Licking County has had 17 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 Etna Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Etna Township archive →Etna Township and its neighbors
Etna Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Etna Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Harrison Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Reynoldsburg | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 113 |
| Truro Township | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 114 |
| Pataskala | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Violet Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Etna Township 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 Etna Township
Is Etna Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Etna Township has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #352 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hail (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Etna Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Etna Township since 1982, $194K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Etna Township 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 Licking County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Etna Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Etna Township’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 Etna Township?
By FEMA money that reached Etna Township, Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides (2004): 2 households applied for aid, $4K approved.
Is Etna Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Etna Township’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Etna Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Etna Township’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.