Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Ottawa’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ottawa gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #943 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 365 claims here since 1978.
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 Ottawa’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ottawa 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’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ottawa, and Ottawa’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 1%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #943 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ottawa’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, Ottawa has more expected damage per building than 95% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Ottawa: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ottawa flood? Yes: 365 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ottawa, from FEMA’s records: 190.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms18 claims · $274K
- Tropical Storm Erin2 claims · $155K
Ottawa is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Putnam County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ottawa
Disasters that paid out in Ottawa itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Ottawa), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$108K to the Village of Ottawa for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes662 households applied for aid$3.3M aid approved$1.7M to the Village of Ottawa for repairs174 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$6K to the Village of Ottawa for repairs
Putnam 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 Ottawa after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ottawa archive →Ottawa and its neighbors
Ottawa has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 365 |
| Glandorf | — | not graded yet | |
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 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.
- Ottawa residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Ottawa
Is Ottawa at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ottawa has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #943 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ottawa flood?
Flood insurance has paid 365 claims in Ottawa since 1978, $9.6M in all, or 190.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 24 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (18).
Is Ottawa 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 Putnam County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ottawa?
Ottawa is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. 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?
By FEMA money that reached Ottawa, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2007): 662 households applied for aid, $3.3M approved, and $1.7M to the Village of Ottawa for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 18 paid, $274K.
Is Ottawa at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Ottawa’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ottawa.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ottawa’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.