Photo: Coastermom · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Kettering faces less hazard damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kettering gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #187 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 26 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 Kettering’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Kettering 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
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 Kettering’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kettering, and Kettering’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 5% (lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts).
A #187 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kettering’s residents live in 25 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, Kettering has less expected damage per building than 81% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.3M a year in losses across Kettering: $6.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kettering flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kettering, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Kettering is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Montgomery County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kettering
Disasters that paid out in Kettering itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kettering), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$964K to the City of Kettering for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Snow$99K to the City of Kettering for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$64K to the City of Kettering for repairs
Montgomery County has had 10 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 Kettering after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kettering archive →Kettering and its neighbors
Kettering is 3rd of the 11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centerville | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Washington Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Kettering | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Beavercreek | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Oakwood | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Beavercreek Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Miami Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Riverside | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Sugarcreek Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Dayton | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Moraine | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Kettering 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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.
- Kettering residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Kettering
Is Kettering at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kettering has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #187 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and earthquakes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kettering flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in Kettering since 1979, $132K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Kettering 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 Montgomery County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kettering?
Kettering is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Kettering?
By FEMA money that reached Kettering, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $964K to the City of Kettering for repairs.
Is Kettering at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Kettering’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kettering.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kettering’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.