Symmes Mission Chapel · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Fairfield faces less hazard damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairfield gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #614 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then tornadoes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 180 claims here since 1979.
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 Fairfield’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fairfield 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 Fairfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fairfield, and Fairfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 26%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #614 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fairfield’s residents live in 11 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, Fairfield has more expected damage per building than 62% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.5M a year in losses across Fairfield: $8.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fairfield flood? Yes: 180 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fairfield, from FEMA’s records: 9.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Fairfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Butler County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fairfield
Disasters that paid out in Fairfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fairfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$417K to the City of Fairfield for repairs
- 2004Snow$80K to the City of Fairfield for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Butler County has had 11 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 Fairfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fairfield archive →Fairfield and its neighbors
Fairfield is 5th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springdale | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Forest Park | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| West Chester Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Colerain Township | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Fairfield | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 180 |
| Fairfield Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Hamilton | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Ross Township | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
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 Fairfield 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 Fairfield
Is Fairfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairfield has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #614 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and tornadoes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fairfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 180 claims in Fairfield since 1979, $1.3M in all, or 9.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 21 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Fairfield 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 Butler County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fairfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fairfield’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 Fairfield?
By FEMA money that reached Fairfield, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $417K to the City of Fairfield for repairs.
Is Fairfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Fairfield’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fairfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fairfield’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.