Photo: Bwsmith84 · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Muskingum Township than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Muskingum Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #910 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 42 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 Muskingum 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 Muskingum Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Muskingum Township, and Muskingum Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
C #910 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Muskingum Township’s residents live in 5 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, Muskingum Township has more expected damage per building than 92% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Muskingum Township: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Muskingum Township flood? Sometimes: 42 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Muskingum Township, from FEMA’s records: 21.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan11 claims · $214K
Muskingum 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: Washington County.The storms Muskingum Township remembers
None of the 16 disasters declared for Washington County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Muskingum Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 200416 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides, declared for Washington County
- 20057 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20246 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Washington County has had 16 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 Muskingum Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Muskingum Township archive →Muskingum Township and its neighbors
Muskingum Township is 3rd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warren Township | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Marietta Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Muskingum Township | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Watertown Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Marietta | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 604 |
| Adams Township | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 62 |
| Salem Township | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fearing Township | — | 973 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 Muskingum 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 Muskingum Township
Is Muskingum Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Muskingum Township has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #910 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Muskingum Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 42 claims in Muskingum Township since 1979, $730K in all, or 21.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (11).
Is Muskingum 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 Washington County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Muskingum Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Muskingum 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 Muskingum Township?
By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 11 paid, $214K.
Is Muskingum Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Muskingum Township’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Muskingum Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Muskingum 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.