Photo: USDA Forest Service photo by Kyle Brooks · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Nelsonville’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nelsonville gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #988 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 21 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 stands out about Nelsonville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Nelsonville 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 Nelsonville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Nelsonville, and Nelsonville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D #988 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Nelsonville’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, Nelsonville has more expected damage per building than 99% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Nelsonville: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Nelsonville flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Nelsonville, from FEMA’s records: 10.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan2 claims · $6K
Nelsonville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Athens County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Nelsonville
Disasters that paid out in Nelsonville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Nelsonville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$211K to the City of Nelsonville for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides$226K to the City of Nelsonville for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$18K to the City of Nelsonville for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides28 households applied for aid$49K aid approved$74K to the City of Nelsonville for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding22 households applied for aid$29K aid approved$6K to the City of Nelsonville for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$46K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides$22K to the City of Nelsonville for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$8K to the City of Nelsonville for repairs
Athens County has had 15 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 Nelsonville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Nelsonville archive →Nelsonville and its neighbors
Nelsonville is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ward Township | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
| York Township | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Nelsonville | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Buchtel | — | 451 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 Nelsonville 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 Nelsonville
Is Nelsonville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nelsonville has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #988 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 Nelsonville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Nelsonville since 1979, $91K in all, or 10.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (2).
Is Nelsonville 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 Athens County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Nelsonville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Nelsonville’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 Nelsonville?
By FEMA money that reached Nelsonville, Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides (2018): $226K to the City of Nelsonville for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 2 paid, $6K.
Is Nelsonville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Nelsonville’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Nelsonville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Nelsonville’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.