Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Shawnee Township as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shawnee Township gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #824 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%). Flood insurance has paid 36 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 Shawnee 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
Earthquakes
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 Shawnee Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shawnee Township, and Shawnee Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 8% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #824 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Shawnee Township’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, Shawnee Township has more expected damage per building than 83% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.8M a year in losses across Shawnee Township: $6.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shawnee Township flood? Sometimes: 36 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shawnee Township, from FEMA’s records: 7.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms3 claims · $173K
Shawnee 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: Allen County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Shawnee Township
Disasters that paid out in Shawnee Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Shawnee Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$72K to Shawnee Township for repairs
Allen County has had 6 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 Shawnee Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shawnee Township archive →Shawnee Township and its neighbors
Shawnee Township is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Township | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Fort Shawnee | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Logan Township | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Shawnee Township | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Duchouquet Township | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Lima | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
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 Shawnee 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Shawnee Township
Is Shawnee Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shawnee Township has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #824 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and earthquakes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Shawnee Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 36 claims in Shawnee Township since 1979, $1.7M in all, or 7.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late winter storms (3).
Is Shawnee 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 Allen County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Shawnee Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shawnee 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 Shawnee Township?
By FEMA money that reached Shawnee Township, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): $72K to Shawnee Township for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 3 paid, $173K.
Is Shawnee Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Shawnee Township’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shawnee Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shawnee 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.