Photo: Kurt Tarvis · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Gallipolis as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gallipolis gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #846 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 13 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 Gallipolis 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
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 Gallipolis’ grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gallipolis, and Gallipolis’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #846 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gallipolis’ residents live in 2 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, Gallipolis has more expected damage per building than 85% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Gallipolis: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gallipolis flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gallipolis, from FEMA’s records: 7.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $3K
Gallipolis isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gallia County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gallipolis
Disasters that paid out in Gallipolis itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Gallipolis), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides$29K to the Village of Gallipolis for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$37K to the Village of Gallipolis for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$915K to the Village of Gallipolis for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$17K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow137 households applied for aid$96K aid approved$24K to the Village of Gallipolis for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Gallia County has had 13 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 Gallipolis after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gallipolis archive →Gallipolis and its neighbors
Gallipolis is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallipolis Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Gallipolis | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Kanauga | — | 270 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 Gallipolis 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.
- 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 Gallipolis
Is Gallipolis at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gallipolis has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #846 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gallipolis flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Gallipolis since 1979, $58K in all, or 7.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (1).
Is Gallipolis 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 Gallia County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Gallipolis?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gallipolis’ 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 Gallipolis?
By FEMA money that reached Gallipolis, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): $915K to the Village of Gallipolis for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Gallipolis at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Gallipolis’ rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gallipolis.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gallipolis’ 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.