On FEMA’s figures, Ottawa Hills faces more hazard damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ottawa Hills gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #930 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims 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 Ottawa Hills 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
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 Ottawa Hills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ottawa Hills, and Ottawa Hills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 7% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
C #930 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Ottawa Hills’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Ohio town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Ottawa Hills has more expected damage per building than 94% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Ottawa Hills: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ottawa Hills flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ottawa Hills, 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.
Ottawa Hills isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lucas County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Ottawa Hills
Disasters that paid out in Ottawa Hills itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Ottawa Hills), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
Lucas County has had 12 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 Ottawa Hills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ottawa Hills archive →Ottawa Hills and its neighbors
Ottawa Hills 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toledo | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 520 |
| Sylvania Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Ottawa Hills | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Ottawa Hills 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.
- 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 Ottawa Hills
Is Ottawa Hills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ottawa Hills has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #930 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and tornadoes (7%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ottawa Hills flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Ottawa Hills since 1981, $36K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Ottawa Hills 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 Lucas County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ottawa Hills?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ottawa Hills’ 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 Ottawa Hills?
By FEMA money that reached Ottawa Hills, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding (2006): 12 households applied for aid, $11K approved.
Is Ottawa Hills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Ottawa Hills’ rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ottawa Hills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ottawa Hills’ 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.