Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Mason’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mason gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #217 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2001.
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 Mason’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Mason 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 Mason’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mason, and Mason’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
A #217 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mason’s residents live in 11 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, Mason has less expected damage per building than 78% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.4M a year in losses across Mason: $6.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mason flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mason, 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.
- The March storm1 claim · $5K
Mason isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Warren County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mason
Disasters that paid out in Mason itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mason), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$216K to the City of Mason for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Snow$48K to the City of Mason for repairs
Warren County has had 10 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 Mason after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mason archive →Mason and its neighbors
Mason is 2nd of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landen | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Mason | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Deerfield Township | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Kings Mills | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Turtlecreek Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Lebanon | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Hamilton Township | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Union Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
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 Mason 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 Mason
Is Mason at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mason has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #217 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mason flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Mason since 2001, $60K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March storm (1).
Is Mason 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 Warren County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mason?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mason’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 Mason?
By FEMA money that reached Mason, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $216K to the City of Mason for repairs. By flood claims, March storm: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Mason at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Mason’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mason.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mason’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.