Big Four Depot · Photo: Rwcwalter at en.wikipedia · CC BY 2.5On FEMA’s figures, Galion faces less hazard damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Galion gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #364 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%). Flood insurance has paid 41 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 stands out about Galion’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Galion 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
Ice storms
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 Galion’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Galion, and Galion’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A #364 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Galion’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, Galion has less expected damage per building than 63% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Galion: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Galion flood? Sometimes: 41 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Galion, from FEMA’s records: 7.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms13 claims · $483K
- Tropical Storm Erin1 claim · $14K
Galion isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Crawford County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Galion
Disasters that paid out in Galion itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Galion), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tornadoes3 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$10K to the City of Galion for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes228 households applied for aid$256K aid approved$8K to the City of Galion for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides265 households applied for aid$187K aid approved$94K to the City of Galion for repairs
- 2004Snow$13K to the City of Galion for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding34 households applied for aid$34K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
Crawford County has had 12 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 Galion after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Galion archive →Galion and its neighbors
Galion is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polk Township | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Galion | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| North Bloomfield Township | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Crestline | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Jackson Township | — | 482 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 Galion 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Galion
Is Galion at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Galion has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #364 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and hail (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Galion flood?
Flood insurance has paid 41 claims in Galion since 1981, $867K in all, or 7.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (13).
Is Galion 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 Crawford County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Galion?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Galion’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 Galion?
By FEMA money that reached Galion, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 265 households applied for aid, $187K approved, and $94K to the City of Galion for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 13 paid, $483K.
Is Galion at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Galion’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Galion.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Galion’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.