Photo: Photo by Andrew VanAtta. · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Findlay faces more hazard damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Findlay gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #928 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then hail (12%). Flood insurance has paid 1,681 claims here since 1978.
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 Findlay’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Findlay 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
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 Findlay’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Findlay, and Findlay’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 12%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C #928 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Findlay’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, Findlay has more expected damage per building than 93% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $18.4M a year in losses across Findlay: $15.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Findlay flood? Yes: 1,681 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Findlay, from FEMA’s records: 87.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms146 claims · $2.6M
- Tropical Storm Erin16 claims · $408K
Findlay isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hancock County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Findlay
Disasters that paid out in Findlay itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Findlay), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$214K to the City of Findlay for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes2,338 households applied for aid$6.2M aid approved$1.2M to the City of Findlay for repairs810 flood claims paid that year
Hancock County has had 10 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 Findlay after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Findlay archive →Findlay and its neighbors
Findlay is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allen Township | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Liberty Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Eagle Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Marion Township | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 397 |
| Findlay | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 1,681 |
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 Findlay 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.
- 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 Findlay
Is Findlay at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Findlay has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #928 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hail (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Findlay flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,681 claims in Findlay since 1978, $36.9M in all, or 87.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 208 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (146).
Is Findlay 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 Hancock County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Findlay?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Findlay’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 Findlay?
By FEMA money that reached Findlay, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2007): 2,338 households applied for aid, $6.2M approved, and $1.2M to the City of Findlay for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 146 paid, $2.6M.
Is Findlay at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Findlay’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Findlay.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Findlay’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.