Photo: Wdzinc · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Pataskala than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pataskala gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #653 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then hail (11%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1990.
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 Pataskala’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Pataskala 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
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 Pataskala’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pataskala, and Pataskala’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 11%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #653 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pataskala’s residents live in 6 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, Pataskala has more expected damage per building than 66% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across Pataskala: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pataskala flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pataskala, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Pataskala isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Licking County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pataskala
Disasters that paid out in Pataskala itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pataskala), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tornadoes8 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$31K to the City of Pataskala for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$24K to the City of Pataskala for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$13K to the City of Pataskala for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides165 households applied for aid$112K aid approved$85K to the City of Pataskala for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Licking County has had 17 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 Pataskala after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pataskala archive →Pataskala and its neighbors
Pataskala is 8th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jersey Township | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Beechwood Trails | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Etna Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Jefferson Township | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Harrison Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Reynoldsburg | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 113 |
| Columbus | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 429 |
| Pataskala | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
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 Pataskala 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.
- 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 Pataskala
Is Pataskala at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pataskala has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #653 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hail (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pataskala flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Pataskala since 1990, $338K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Pataskala 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 Licking County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pataskala?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pataskala’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 Pataskala?
By FEMA money that reached Pataskala, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 165 households applied for aid, $112K approved, and $85K to the City of Pataskala for repairs.
Is Pataskala at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Pataskala’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pataskala.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pataskala’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.