Photo: Nyttend · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Mead Township than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mead Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #965 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1978.
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 Mead 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
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 Mead Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mead Township, and Mead Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #965 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mead Township’s residents live in 2 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, Mead Township has more expected damage per building than 97% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Mead Township: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mead Township flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mead Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan2 claims · $6K
Mead 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: Belmont County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mead Township
Disasters that paid out in Mead Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Mead Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$515K to Mead Township for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides$2.8M to Mead Township for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$180K to Mead Township for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$169K to Mead Township for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$345K to Mead Township for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides$283K to Mead Township for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$40K to Mead Township for repairs
Belmont County has had 18 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 Mead Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mead Township archive →Mead Township and its neighbors
Mead Township is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richland Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Smith Township | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Moundsville | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 77 |
| Mead Township | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Shadyside | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Pultney Township | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 99 |
| Glen Dale | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
| York Township | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Washington Township | — | 551 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 Mead 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.
- 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 Mead Township
Is Mead Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mead Township has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #965 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mead Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Mead Township since 1978, $20K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (2).
Is Mead 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 Belmont County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mead Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mead 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 Mead Township?
By FEMA money that reached Mead Township, Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides (2018): $2.8M to Mead Township for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 2 paid, $6K.
Is Mead Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Mead Township’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mead Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mead 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.