Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Fort Recovery than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Recovery gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then tornadoes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 1992.
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 Fort Recovery’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fort Recovery 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
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 Fort Recovery’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fort Recovery, and Fort Recovery’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 26%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Fort Recovery’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $891K a year in losses across Fort Recovery: $625K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fort Recovery flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fort Recovery, from FEMA’s records: 34.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Fort Recovery isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mercer County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fort Recovery
Disasters that paid out in Fort Recovery itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Fort Recovery), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides10 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$35K to the Village of Fort Recovery for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
Mercer 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 Fort Recovery after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fort Recovery archive →Fort Recovery and its neighbors
Fort Recovery is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recovery Township | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Gibson Township | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fort Recovery | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
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 Fort Recovery 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.
- 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 Fort Recovery
Is Fort Recovery at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Recovery has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and tornadoes (26%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fort Recovery flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Fort Recovery since 1992, $296K in all, or 34.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Fort Recovery 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 Mercer County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fort Recovery?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fort Recovery’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 Fort Recovery?
By FEMA money that reached Fort Recovery, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 10 households applied for aid, $4K approved, and $35K to the Village of Fort Recovery for repairs.
Is Fort Recovery at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Fort Recovery’s rate for it is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fort Recovery.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fort Recovery’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.