Fairborn Theatre · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Fairborn faces less hazard damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairborn gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #119 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1980.
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 Fairborn 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 Fairborn’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fairborn, and Fairborn’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 15% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
A #119 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fairborn’s residents live in 12 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, Fairborn has less expected damage per building than 88% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.6M a year in losses across Fairborn: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fairborn flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fairborn, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Fairborn isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Greene County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fairborn
Disasters that paid out in Fairborn itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fairborn), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$91K to the City of Fairborn for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$31K to the City of Fairborn for repairs
- 2004Snow$28K to the City of Fairborn for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$16K to the City of Fairborn for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Tornado$960 to the City of Fairborn for repairs
Greene County has had 13 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 Fairborn after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fairborn archive →Fairborn and its neighbors
Fairborn is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wright-Patterson AFB | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Bath Township | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Fairborn | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Beavercreek | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Xenia Township | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Beavercreek Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
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 Fairborn 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 Fairborn
Is Fairborn at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairborn has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #119 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fairborn flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Fairborn since 1980, $94K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Fairborn 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 Greene County, 27% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fairborn?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fairborn’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 Fairborn?
By FEMA money that reached Fairborn, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $91K to the City of Fairborn for repairs.
Is Fairborn at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Fairborn’s rate for it is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fairborn.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fairborn’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.