Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Lima faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lima gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #860 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 14 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 Lima 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
Earthquakes
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 Lima’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lima, and Lima’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #860 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lima’s residents live in 18 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, Lima has more expected damage per building than 87% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.2M a year in losses across Lima: $9.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lima flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lima, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms1 claim · $2K
- Tropical Storm Erin1 claim · $4K
Lima isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Allen County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lima
Disasters that paid out in Lima itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lima), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$148K to the City of Lima for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes126 households applied for aid$147K aid approved$19K to the City of Lima for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides46 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$786K to the City of Lima for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Allen County has had 6 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 Lima after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lima archive →Lima and its neighbors
Lima is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perry Township | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Bath Township | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | — |
| American Township | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Shawnee Township | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Lima | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
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 Lima 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Lima
Is Lima at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lima has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #860 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lima flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Lima since 1979, $128K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (1).
Is Lima 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 Allen County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lima?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lima’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 Lima?
By FEMA money that reached Lima, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 46 households applied for aid, $20K approved, and $786K to the City of Lima for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Lima at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Lima’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lima.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lima’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.