Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Johnstown faces less hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Johnstown 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 (75%), then hail (12%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Johnstown’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Johnstown 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 Johnstown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Johnstown, and Johnstown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 12%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #474 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Johnstown’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, Johnstown has less expected damage per building than 52% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Johnstown: $941K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Johnstown flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Johnstown, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Johnstown 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Johnstown
Disasters that paid out in Johnstown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Johnstown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tornadoes11 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$8K to the City of Johnstown for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$13K to the City of Johnstown for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$7K to the City of Johnstown for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides52 households applied for aid$39K aid approved$38K to the City of Johnstown for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding33 households applied for aid$29K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides2 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$4K to the City of Johnstown for repairs
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 Johnstown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Johnstown archive →Get ready for what Johnstown 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 Johnstown
Is Johnstown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Johnstown 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 (75%) and hail (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Johnstown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Johnstown since 1979, $2K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Johnstown 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 Johnstown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Johnstown’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 Johnstown?
By FEMA money that reached Johnstown, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 52 households applied for aid, $39K approved, and $38K to the City of Johnstown for repairs.
Is Johnstown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Johnstown’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Johnstown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Johnstown’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.