Photo: Sixflashphoto · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Obetz’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Obetz gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #29 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (11%). 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 Obetz 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
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 Obetz’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Obetz, and Obetz’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #29 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Obetz’s residents live in 3 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, Obetz has less expected damage per building than 97% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Obetz: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Obetz flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Obetz. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Obetz isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Obetz
Disasters that paid out in Obetz itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Obetz), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$8K to the City of Obetz for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$6K to the City of Obetz for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides3 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$25K to the City of Obetz for repairs
- 2004Snow$4K to the City of Obetz for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides1 households applied for aid$846 aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$4K to the City of Obetz for repairs
Franklin County has had 17 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 Obetz after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Obetz archive →Obetz and its neighbors
Obetz has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obetz | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Hamilton Township | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Groveport | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Columbus | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 429 |
| Madison Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
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 Obetz 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.
- 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 Obetz
Is Obetz at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Obetz has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #29 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Obetz 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 Franklin County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Obetz?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Obetz’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 Obetz?
By FEMA money that reached Obetz, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 3 households applied for aid, $5K approved, and $25K to the City of Obetz for repairs.
Is Obetz at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Obetz’s rate for it is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Obetz.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Obetz’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.