Photo: Nyttend · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in McLean Township than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McLean Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #657 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then earthquakes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 2003.
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 McLean 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
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 McLean Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in McLean Township, and McLean Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 16% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #657 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
McLean Township’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, McLean Township has more expected damage per building than 66% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across McLean Township: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does McLean Township flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in McLean Township, from FEMA’s records: 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms6 claims · $77K
McLean 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: Shelby County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to McLean Township
Disasters that paid out in McLean Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to McLean Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$1K to McLean Township for repairs
- 2004Snow$2K to McLean Township for repairs
Shelby County has had 11 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 McLean Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the McLean Township archive →McLean Township and its neighbors
McLean Township is 8th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turtle Creek Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Patterson Township | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Marion Township | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Van Buren Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Cynthian Township | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Jackson Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | — |
| German Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
| McLean Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
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 McLean 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in McLean Township
Is McLean Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McLean Township has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #657 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and earthquakes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does McLean Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in McLean Township since 2003, $88K in all, or 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late winter storms (6).
Is McLean 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 Shelby County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in McLean Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for McLean 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 McLean Township?
By FEMA money that reached McLean Township, Snow (2004): $2K to McLean Township for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 6 paid, $77K.
Is McLean Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and McLean Township’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in McLean Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where McLean 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.