Pennsylvania Depot · Photo: Wdzinc · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Mount Vernon 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, Mount Vernon gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #769 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 18 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 Mount Vernon 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
Hail
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 Mount Vernon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mount Vernon, and Mount Vernon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
B #769 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mount Vernon’s residents live in 7 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, Mount Vernon has more expected damage per building than 77% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.6M a year in losses across Mount Vernon: $4.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mount Vernon flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mount Vernon, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms1 claim · $8K
Mount Vernon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Knox County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mount Vernon
Disasters that paid out in Mount Vernon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mount Vernon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$32K to the City of Mount Vernon for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$54K to the City of Mount Vernon for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$1K to the City of Mount Vernon for repairs
Knox County has had 8 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 Mount Vernon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mount Vernon archive →Mount Vernon and its neighbors
Mount Vernon is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pleasant Township | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Morris Township | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Miller Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Mount Vernon | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Clinton Township | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | — |
| South Mount Vernon | — | 589 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 Mount Vernon 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Mount Vernon
Is Mount Vernon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Vernon has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #769 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 Mount Vernon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Mount Vernon since 1979, $71K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (1).
Is Mount Vernon 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 Knox County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mount Vernon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mount Vernon’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 Mount Vernon?
By FEMA money that reached Mount Vernon, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $54K to the City of Mount Vernon for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 1 paid, $8K.
Is Mount Vernon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Mount Vernon’s rate for it is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mount Vernon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mount Vernon’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.