Photo: Nyttend · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Harlan Township than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harlan Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #474 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (11%). 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 Harlan 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 Harlan Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Harlan Township, and Harlan Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #474 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Harlan Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Ohio town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Harlan Township has less expected damage per building than 52% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Harlan Township: $947K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Harlan Township flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Harlan Township. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Harlan 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: Warren County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Harlan Township
Disasters that paid out in Harlan Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Harlan Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$21K to Harlan Township for repairs
- 2004Snow$4K to Harlan Township for repairs
Warren County has had 10 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 Harlan Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Harlan Township archive →Harlan Township and its neighbors
Harlan Township is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Township | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Marion Township | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Harlan Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Hamilton Township | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Salem Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
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 Harlan 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 Harlan Township
Is Harlan Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harlan Township has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #474 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (11%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Harlan 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 Warren County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Harlan Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Harlan 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 Harlan Township?
By FEMA money that reached Harlan Township, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $21K to Harlan Township for repairs.
Is Harlan Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Harlan Township’s rate for it is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Harlan Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Harlan 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.