Photo: Nyttend · Public domainGratis Township’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gratis Township gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #754 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (21%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Gratis Township 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 Gratis Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gratis Township, and Gratis Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 21%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B #754 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gratis Township’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, Gratis Township has more expected damage per building than 76% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Gratis Township: $953K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gratis Township flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Gratis Township. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Gratis Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Preble County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gratis Township
Disasters that paid out in Gratis Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Gratis Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$6K to Gratis Township for repairs
- 2004Snow$4K to Gratis Township for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$3K to Gratis Township for repairs
Preble 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 Gratis Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gratis Township archive →Gratis Township and its neighbors
Gratis Township is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Gratis Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Lanier Township | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Madison Township | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Somers Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| German Township | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Gratis | — | 725 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 Gratis Township 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 Gratis Township
Is Gratis Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gratis Township has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #754 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Gratis Township 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 Preble County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Gratis Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gratis Township’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 Gratis Township?
By FEMA money that reached Gratis Township, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $6K to Gratis Township for repairs.
Is Gratis Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Gratis Township’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gratis Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gratis Township’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.