Photo: Nyttend · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Salem Township than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salem Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #906 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 21 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 Salem Township 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 Salem Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Salem Township, and Salem Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
C #906 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Salem Township’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, Salem Township has more expected damage per building than 91% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Salem Township: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Salem Township flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Salem Township, from FEMA’s records: 9.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March storm7 claims · $58K
Salem Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Warren County.The storms Salem Township remembers
None of the 10 disasters declared for Warren County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Salem Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20088 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike, declared for Warren County
- 19794 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19982 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Warren 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 Salem Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Salem Township archive →Salem Township and its neighbors
Salem Township is 6th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Township | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Turtlecreek Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Harlan Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hamilton Township | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Union Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Salem Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
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 Salem Township 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 Salem Township
Is Salem Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salem Township has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #906 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and tornadoes (6%). 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 Salem Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Salem Township since 1978, $122K in all, or 9.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March storm (7).
Is Salem Township 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 Warren County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Salem Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Salem Township’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 Salem Township?
By flood claims, March storm: 7 paid, $58K.
Is Salem Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Salem Township’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Salem Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Salem Township’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.