Shuey's Mill · Photo: Pjsham · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Germantown faces more hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Germantown gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #961 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 19 claims here since 1989.
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 Germantown 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 Germantown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Germantown, and Germantown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #961 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Germantown’s 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, Germantown has more expected damage per building than 97% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Germantown: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Germantown flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Germantown, from FEMA’s records: 8.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Germantown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Montgomery County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Germantown
Disasters that paid out in Germantown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Germantown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$24K to the City of Germantown for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$2K to the City of Germantown for repairs
- 2004Snow$7K to the City of Germantown for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$5K to the City of Germantown for repairs
Montgomery 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 Germantown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Germantown archive →Get ready for what Germantown 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 Germantown
Is Germantown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Germantown has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #961 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 Germantown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Germantown since 1989, $73K in all, or 8.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Germantown 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 Montgomery County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Germantown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Germantown’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 Germantown?
By FEMA money that reached Germantown, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $24K to the City of Germantown for repairs.
Is Germantown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Germantown’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Germantown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Germantown’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.