Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Fostoria’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fostoria gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #590 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1981.
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 Fostoria 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
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 Fostoria’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fostoria, and Fostoria’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #590 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fostoria’s residents live in 5 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, Fostoria has more expected damage per building than 59% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Fostoria: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fostoria flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fostoria, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Fostoria isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Seneca County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fostoria
Disasters that paid out in Fostoria itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fostoria), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes6 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$15K to the City of Fostoria for repairs
- 2004Snow$16K to the City of Fostoria for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Tornadoes65 households applied for aid$40K aid approved
Seneca 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 Fostoria after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fostoria archive →Fostoria and its neighbors
Fostoria has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fostoria | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Perry Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Loudon Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Jackson Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Fostoria 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.
- 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 Fostoria
Is Fostoria at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fostoria has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #590 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fostoria flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Fostoria since 1981, $71K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Fostoria 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 Seneca County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fostoria?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fostoria’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 Fostoria?
By FEMA money that reached Fostoria, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2002): 65 households applied for aid, $40K approved.
Is Fostoria at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Fostoria’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fostoria.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fostoria’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.