Photo: Vasiliymeshko · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Ironton than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ironton gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #982 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1978.
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 Ironton 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
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 Ironton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ironton, and Ironton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D #982 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ironton’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, Ironton has more expected damage per building than 99% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.1M a year in losses across Ironton: $5.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ironton flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ironton, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ironton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lawrence County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ironton
Disasters that paid out in Ironton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ironton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$21K to the City of Ironton for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides$51K to the City of Ironton for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$199K to the City of Ironton for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow96 households applied for aid$68K aid approved$17K to the City of Ironton for repairs
Lawrence County has had 12 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 Ironton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ironton archive →Ironton and its neighbors
Ironton is 6th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russell | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Coal Grove | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Westwood | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 88 |
| Upper Township | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Hamilton Township | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Ironton | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Hanging Rock | — | 142 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 Ironton 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.
- 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 Ironton
Is Ironton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ironton has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #982 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ironton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Ironton since 1978, $9K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Ironton 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 Lawrence County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ironton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ironton’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 Ironton?
By FEMA money that reached Ironton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): $199K to the City of Ironton for repairs.
Is Ironton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Ironton’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ironton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ironton’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.