Photo: User:OHWiki · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Shelby than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shelby gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #530 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%). Flood insurance has paid 136 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 Shelby’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Shelby 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 Shelby’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shelby, and Shelby’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #530 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Shelby’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, Shelby has more expected damage per building than 53% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Shelby: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shelby flood? Yes: 136 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shelby, from FEMA’s records: 34.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms13 claims · $138K
- Tropical Storm Erin6 claims · $612K
Shelby is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Richland County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Shelby
Disasters that paid out in Shelby itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Shelby), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes453 households applied for aid$890K aid approved74 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides220 households applied for aid$116K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding22 households applied for aid$24K aid approved
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 Shelby after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shelby archive →Shelby and its neighbors
Shelby is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
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 Shelby 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.
- Shelby residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Shelby
Is Shelby at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shelby has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #530 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and hail (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Shelby flood?
Flood insurance has paid 136 claims in Shelby since 1979, $5.3M in all, or 34.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (13).
Is Shelby 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 Shelby?
Shelby is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Shelby?
By FEMA money that reached Shelby, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2007): 453 households applied for aid, $890K approved. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 13 paid, $138K.
Is Shelby at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Shelby’s rate for it is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shelby.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shelby’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.