Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Girard than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Girard gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #439 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1990.
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 Girard’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Girard 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
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 Girard’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Girard, and Girard’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #439 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Girard’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, Girard has less expected damage per building than 56% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Girard: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Girard flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Girard, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $3K
Girard isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Trumbull County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Girard
Disasters that paid out in Girard itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Girard), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding18 households applied for aid$24K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds629 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$1.2M to the City of Girard for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Trumbull 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 Girard after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Girard archive →Girard and its neighbors
Girard is 5th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youngstown | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
| Vienna Township | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | — |
| McDonald | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Liberty Township | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Girard | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| McKinley Heights | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Weathersfield Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
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 Girard 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.
- 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 Girard
Is Girard at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Girard has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #439 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Girard flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Girard since 1990, $37K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% 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 Girard 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 Trumbull County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Girard?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Girard’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 Girard?
By FEMA money that reached Girard, Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds (2003): 629 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved, and $1.2M to the City of Girard for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Girard at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Girard’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Girard.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Girard’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.