Photo: Aesopposea · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Hillsboro’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hillsboro gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #183 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1994.
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 Hillsboro’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hillsboro 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
Earthquakes
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 Hillsboro’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hillsboro, and Hillsboro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
A #183 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hillsboro’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, Hillsboro has less expected damage per building than 82% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Hillsboro: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hillsboro flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hillsboro, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hillsboro isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Highland County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hillsboro
Disasters that paid out in Hillsboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hillsboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$7K to the City of Hillsboro for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$24K to the City of Hillsboro for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$117K to the City of Hillsboro for repairs
Highland 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 Hillsboro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hillsboro archive →Get ready for what Hillsboro 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Hillsboro
Is Hillsboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hillsboro has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #183 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hillsboro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Hillsboro since 1994, $12K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Hillsboro 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 Highland County, 2% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hillsboro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hillsboro’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 Hillsboro?
By FEMA money that reached Hillsboro, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): $117K to the City of Hillsboro for repairs.
Is Hillsboro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Hillsboro’s rate for it is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hillsboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hillsboro’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.