Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Heath faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Heath gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #732 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then hail (10%). Flood insurance has paid 37 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 stands out about Heath’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Heath 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
Hail
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 Heath’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Heath, and Heath’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 10%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B #732 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Heath’s residents live in 4 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, Heath has more expected damage per building than 74% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across Heath: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Heath flood? Sometimes: 37 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Heath, from FEMA’s records: 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Heath isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Licking County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Heath
Disasters that paid out in Heath itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Heath), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$38K to the City of Heath for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$25K to the City of Heath for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides67 households applied for aid$45K aid approved$86K to the City of Heath for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Licking County has had 17 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 Heath after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Heath archive →Heath and its neighbors
Heath is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licking Township | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Franklin Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Newark | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 100 |
| Union Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Heath | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Madison Township | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
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 Heath 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Heath
Is Heath at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Heath has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #732 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and hail (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Heath flood?
Flood insurance has paid 37 claims in Heath since 1979, $1.5M in all, or 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Heath 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 Licking County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Heath?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Heath’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 Heath?
By FEMA money that reached Heath, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 67 households applied for aid, $45K approved, and $86K to the City of Heath for repairs.
Is Heath at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Heath’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Heath.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Heath’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.