Zollinger, S., Company Building · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Piqua’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Piqua gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #541 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 5 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 Piqua’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Piqua 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
Earthquakes
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 Piqua’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Piqua, and Piqua’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #541 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Piqua’s residents live in 5 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, Piqua has more expected damage per building than 54% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.0M a year in losses across Piqua: $4.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Piqua flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Piqua, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Piqua isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Miami County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Piqua
Disasters that paid out in Piqua itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Piqua), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$372K to the City of Piqua for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$88K to the City of Piqua for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2004Snow$54K to the City of Piqua for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$20K to the City of Piqua for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Miami County has had 11 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 Piqua after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Piqua archive →Piqua and its neighbors
Piqua is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springcreek Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Washington Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Piqua | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Staunton Township | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
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 Piqua 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Piqua
Is Piqua at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Piqua has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #541 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Piqua flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Piqua since 1990, $17K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Piqua 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 Miami County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Piqua?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Piqua’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 Piqua?
By FEMA money that reached Piqua, Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds (2012): $372K to the City of Piqua for repairs.
Is Piqua at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Piqua’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Piqua.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Piqua’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.