Photo: Myself · CC BY 2.5On FEMA’s figures, Paulding faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Paulding gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #759 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1982.
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 Paulding 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
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 Paulding’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Paulding, and Paulding’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B #759 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Paulding’s 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, Paulding has more expected damage per building than 76% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Paulding: $986K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Paulding flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Paulding, from FEMA’s records: 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Paulding isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Paulding County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Paulding
Disasters that paid out in Paulding itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Paulding), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$8K to the Village of Paulding for repairs
Paulding County has had 9 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 Paulding after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Paulding archive →Paulding and its neighbors
Paulding has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paulding | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Jackson Township | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Paulding Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Emerald Township | — | 453 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Paulding 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.
- 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 Paulding
Is Paulding at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Paulding has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #759 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (16%). 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 Paulding flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Paulding since 1982, $54K in all, or 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Paulding 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 Paulding County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Paulding?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Paulding’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 Paulding?
By FEMA money that reached Paulding, Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds (2012): $8K to the Village of Paulding for repairs.
Is Paulding at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Paulding’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Paulding.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Paulding’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.