Photo: Weatherman1126 · Public domainFEMA puts Oberlin’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oberlin gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #42 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 2004.
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 Oberlin’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Oberlin 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 Oberlin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oberlin, and Oberlin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #42 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oberlin’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, Oberlin has less expected damage per building than 96% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Oberlin: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oberlin flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oberlin, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms2 claims · $39K
Oberlin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lorain County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Oberlin
Disasters that paid out in Oberlin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Oberlin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding48 households applied for aid$83K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Lorain 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 Oberlin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oberlin archive →Oberlin and its neighbors
Oberlin has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oberlin | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| New Russia Township | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Pittsfield Township | Aless damage than 90% | 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 Oberlin 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 Oberlin
Is Oberlin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oberlin has lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #42 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oberlin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Oberlin since 2004, $48K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late winter storms (2).
Is Oberlin 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 Lorain County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Oberlin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oberlin’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 Oberlin?
By FEMA money that reached Oberlin, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 48 households applied for aid, $83K approved. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 2 paid, $39K.
Is Oberlin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Oberlin’s rate for it is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oberlin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oberlin’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.