On FEMA’s figures, Powell faces less hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Powell gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #434 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Powell’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Powell 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 Powell’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Powell, and Powell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #434 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Powell’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, Powell has less expected damage per building than 56% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Powell: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Powell flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Powell, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Powell isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Delaware County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Powell
Disasters that paid out in Powell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Powell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$11K to the City of Powell for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$20K to the City of Powell for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides6 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2004Snow$13K to the City of Powell for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds32 households applied for aid$46K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$5K to the City of Powell for repairs
Delaware County has had 12 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 Powell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Powell archive →Get ready for what Powell 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 Powell
Is Powell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Powell has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #434 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Powell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Powell since 1990, $25K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Powell 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 Delaware County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Powell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Powell’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 Powell?
By FEMA money that reached Powell, Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds (2003): 32 households applied for aid, $46K approved.
Is Powell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Powell’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Powell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Powell’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.