FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Ontario than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ontario gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #9 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then hail (11%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1981.
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 Ontario 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
Hail
Tornadoes
Strong wind
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 Ontario’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ontario, and Ontario’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 94% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 5%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #9 of 993 in Ohio; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ontario’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, Ontario has less expected damage per building than 99% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Ontario: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ontario flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ontario, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ontario isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Richland County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ontario
Disasters that paid out in Ontario itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ontario), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$26K to the City of Ontario for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$17K to the City of Ontario for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$54K to the City of Ontario for repairs
- 2004Snow$30K to the City of Ontario for repairs
Richland County has had 15 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 Ontario after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ontario archive →Ontario and its neighbors
Ontario 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Springfield Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Mansfield | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 56 |
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 Ontario 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Ontario
Is Ontario at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ontario has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #9 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and hail (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ontario flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Ontario since 1981, $1K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Ontario 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 Richland County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ontario?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ontario’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 Ontario?
By FEMA money that reached Ontario, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): $54K to the City of Ontario for repairs.
Is Ontario at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Ontario’s rate for it is lower than 94% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ontario.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ontario’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.