Photo: Art Anderson · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Kenton as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kenton gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #828 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 2006.
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 Kenton 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
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 Kenton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kenton, and Kenton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #828 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kenton’s residents live in 3 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, Kenton has more expected damage per building than 83% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Kenton: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kenton flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kenton, from FEMA’s records: 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms6 claims · $153K
Kenton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hardin County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kenton
Disasters that paid out in Kenton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kenton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$6K to the City of Kenton for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes4 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2004Snow$12K to the City of Kenton for repairs
Hardin 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 Kenton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kenton archive →Kenton and its neighbors
Kenton is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Kenton | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Buck Township | C+more damage than 62% | 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 Kenton 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.
- 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 Kenton
Is Kenton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kenton has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #828 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kenton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Kenton since 2006, $294K in all, or 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (6).
Is Kenton 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 Hardin County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Kenton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kenton’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 Kenton?
By FEMA money that reached Kenton, Snow (2004): $12K to the City of Kenton for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 6 paid, $153K.
Is Kenton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Kenton’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kenton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kenton’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.