Photo: Nyttend · Public domainLanier Township’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lanier Township gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #777 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1986.
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 Lanier Township 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
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 Lanier Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lanier Township, and Lanier Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #777 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Lanier Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Ohio town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Lanier Township has more expected damage per building than 78% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Lanier Township: $767K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lanier Township flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lanier Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Lanier Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Preble County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lanier Township
Disasters that paid out in Lanier Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Lanier Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$15K to Lanier Township for repairs
- 2004Snow$5K to Lanier Township for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$3K to Lanier Township for repairs
Preble 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 Lanier Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lanier Township archive →Lanier Township and its neighbors
Lanier Township is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Gratis Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Gasper Township | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lanier Township | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Twin Township | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Gratis | — | 725 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 Lanier Township 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.
- 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 Lanier Township
Is Lanier Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lanier Township has lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #777 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (20%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lanier Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Lanier Township since 1986, $4K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Lanier Township 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 Preble County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lanier Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lanier Township’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 Lanier Township?
By FEMA money that reached Lanier Township, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $15K to Lanier Township for repairs.
Is Lanier Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Lanier Township’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lanier Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lanier Township’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.