Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Minerva Park than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Minerva Park gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Minerva Park 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 Minerva Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Minerva Park, and Minerva Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
A lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Minerva Park’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $349K a year in losses across Minerva Park: $221K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Minerva Park flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Minerva Park, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Minerva Park isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Minerva Park
Disasters that paid out in Minerva Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Minerva Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$5K to the Village of Minerva Park for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$10K to the Village of Minerva Park for repairs
Franklin County has had 17 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 Minerva Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Minerva Park archive →Minerva Park and its neighbors
Minerva Park has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minerva Park | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Blendon Township | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Minerva Park 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 Minerva Park
Is Minerva Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Minerva Park has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Minerva Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Minerva Park since 1979, $9K in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Minerva Park 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 Franklin County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Minerva Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Minerva Park’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 Minerva Park?
By FEMA money that reached Minerva Park, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $10K to the Village of Minerva Park for repairs.
Is Minerva Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Minerva Park’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Minerva Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Minerva Park’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.