Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Port Clinton 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, Port Clinton gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #790 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 151 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 Port Clinton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Port Clinton 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 Port Clinton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Port Clinton, and Port Clinton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #790 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Port Clinton’s residents live in 4 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, Port Clinton has more expected damage per building than 80% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Port Clinton: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Port Clinton flood? Yes: 151 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Port Clinton, from FEMA’s records: 40.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Port Clinton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ottawa County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Port Clinton
Disasters that paid out in Port Clinton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Port Clinton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2002Severe Storms and Tornadoes144 households applied for aid$163K aid approved
Ottawa County has had 10 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 Port Clinton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Port Clinton archive →Port Clinton and its neighbors
Port Clinton is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portage Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Port Clinton | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 151 |
| Erie Township | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Bay Township | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
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 Port Clinton 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 Port Clinton
Is Port Clinton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Clinton has lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #790 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Port Clinton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 151 claims in Port Clinton since 1978, $1.5M in all, or 40.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 16 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Port Clinton 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 Ottawa County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Port Clinton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Port Clinton’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 Port Clinton?
By FEMA money that reached Port Clinton, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2002): 144 households applied for aid, $163K approved.
Is Port Clinton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Port Clinton’s rate for it is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Port Clinton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Port Clinton’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.