Photo: Nyttend · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Fredericktown than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fredericktown gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #560 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2011.
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 Fredericktown 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 Fredericktown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fredericktown, and Fredericktown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #560 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Fredericktown’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Ohio town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Fredericktown has more expected damage per building than 56% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $743K a year in losses across Fredericktown: $604K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fredericktown flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fredericktown, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms1 claim · $2K
Fredericktown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Knox County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fredericktown
Disasters that paid out in Fredericktown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Fredericktown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$12K to the Village of Fredericktown for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$38K to the Village of Fredericktown for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$102 aid approved
Knox County has had 8 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 Fredericktown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fredericktown archive →Fredericktown and its neighbors
Fredericktown is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middlebury Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Fredericktown | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Morris Township | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Wayne Township | — | 587 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Fredericktown 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 Fredericktown
Is Fredericktown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fredericktown has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #560 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (10%). 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 Fredericktown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Fredericktown since 2011, $9K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (1).
Is Fredericktown 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 Knox County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fredericktown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fredericktown’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 Fredericktown?
By FEMA money that reached Fredericktown, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $38K to the Village of Fredericktown for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Fredericktown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Fredericktown’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fredericktown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fredericktown’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.