Photo: User:OHWiki · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Fremont than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fremont gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #693 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 12 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 Fremont’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fremont 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 Fremont’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fremont, and Fremont’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B #693 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fremont’s residents live in 8 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, Fremont has more expected damage per building than 70% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.6M a year in losses across Fremont: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fremont flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fremont, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Fremont isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sandusky County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fremont
Disasters that paid out in Fremont itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fremont), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding208 households applied for aid$230K aid approved
- 2004Snow$19K to the City of Fremont for repairs
Sandusky 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 Fremont after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fremont archive →Fremont and its neighbors
Fremont is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stony Prairie | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Sandusky Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Fremont | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Ballville Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Ballville | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
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 Fremont 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 Fremont
Is Fremont at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fremont has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #693 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fremont flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Fremont since 1979, $161K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Fremont 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 Sandusky County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fremont?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fremont’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 Fremont?
By FEMA money that reached Fremont, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding (2006): 208 households applied for aid, $230K approved.
Is Fremont at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Fremont’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fremont.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fremont’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.