Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts New Bremen’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Bremen gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #632 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then tornadoes (14%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 New Bremen 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
Earthquakes
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 New Bremen’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Bremen, and New Bremen’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #632 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Bremen’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, New Bremen has more expected damage per building than 64% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across New Bremen: $891K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Bremen flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in New Bremen. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
New Bremen isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Auglaize County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Bremen
Disasters that paid out in New Bremen itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of New Bremen), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$8K to the Village of New Bremen for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides23 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$71K to the Village of New Bremen for repairs
Auglaize County has had 9 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 New Bremen after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Bremen archive →Get ready for what New Bremen 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 New Bremen
Is New Bremen at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Bremen has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #632 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is New Bremen 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 Auglaize County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in New Bremen?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Bremen’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 New Bremen?
By FEMA money that reached New Bremen, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 23 households applied for aid, $12K approved, and $71K to the Village of New Bremen for repairs.
Is New Bremen at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and New Bremen’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Bremen.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Bremen’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.