Sacred Heart of Jesus Churches · Photo: User:OHWiki · CC0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Sharon Township than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sharon Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #545 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%). Flood insurance has paid 131 claims here since 1979.
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 Sharon Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Sharon 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
Hail
Ice storms
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 Sharon Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sharon Township, and Sharon Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #545 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sharon Township’s residents live in 2 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, Sharon Township has more expected damage per building than 55% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Sharon Township: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sharon Township flood? Yes: 131 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sharon Township, from FEMA’s records: 34.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms12 claims · $127K
- Tropical Storm Erin5 claims · $558K
Sharon 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: Richland County.The storms Sharon Township remembers
None of the 15 disasters declared for Richland County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Sharon Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 200772 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes, declared for Richland County
- 198714 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Richland County
- 200412 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides, declared for Richland County
Richland County has had 15 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 Sharon Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sharon Township archive →Sharon Township and its neighbors
Sharon Township is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Jackson Township | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Shelby | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 136 |
| Sharon Township | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 131 |
| Plymouth Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Vernon Township | — | 749 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Jackson Township | — | 482 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Sandusky Township | — | 874 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 Sharon 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.
- 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Sharon Township
Is Sharon Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sharon Township has lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #545 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and hail (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sharon Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 131 claims in Sharon Township since 1979, $5.1M in all, or 34.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late winter storms (12).
Is Sharon 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 Richland County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sharon Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sharon 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 Sharon Township?
By flood claims, Late winter storms: 12 paid, $127K.
Is Sharon Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Sharon Township’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sharon Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sharon 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.