Photo: Christopher L. Riley · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Napoleon than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Napoleon gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #931 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 37 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 Napoleon 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 Napoleon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Napoleon, and Napoleon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
C #931 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Napoleon’s residents live in 4 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, Napoleon has more expected damage per building than 94% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.0M a year in losses across Napoleon: $4.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Napoleon flood? Sometimes: 37 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Napoleon, from FEMA’s records: 9.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Napoleon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Henry County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Napoleon
Disasters that paid out in Napoleon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Napoleon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$2K to the City of Napoleon for repairs
Henry County has had 7 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 Napoleon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Napoleon archive →Napoleon and its neighbors
Napoleon is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harrison Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Napoleon | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Liberty Township | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Napoleon 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 Napoleon
Is Napoleon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Napoleon has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #931 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Napoleon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 37 claims in Napoleon since 1978, $183K in all, or 9.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Napoleon 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 Henry County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Napoleon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Napoleon’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 Napoleon?
By FEMA money that reached Napoleon, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 1 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $2K to the City of Napoleon for repairs.
Is Napoleon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Napoleon’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Napoleon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Napoleon’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.