Photo: Derek Jensen (Tysto) · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Sidney faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sidney gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #777 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then earthquakes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 32 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 Sidney’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Sidney 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 Sidney’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sidney, and Sidney’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 11% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #777 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sidney’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, Sidney has more expected damage per building than 78% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.8M a year in losses across Sidney: $5.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sidney flood? Sometimes: 32 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sidney, from FEMA’s records: 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms1 claim · $754
Sidney isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Shelby County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sidney
Disasters that paid out in Sidney itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sidney), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$32K to the City of Sidney for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$74K to the City of Sidney for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$142K to the City of Sidney for repairs
- 2004Snow$30K to the City of Sidney for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding34 households applied for aid$31K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
Shelby County has had 11 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 Sidney after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sidney archive →Sidney and its neighbors
Sidney is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salem Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Washington Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Franklin Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Clinton Township | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Sidney | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| Orange Township | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Perry 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 Sidney 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 Sidney
Is Sidney at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sidney has lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #777 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and earthquakes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sidney flood?
Flood insurance has paid 32 claims in Sidney since 1990, $225K in all, or 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (1).
Is Sidney 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 Shelby County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sidney?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sidney’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 Sidney?
By FEMA money that reached Sidney, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): $142K to the City of Sidney for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 1 paid, $754.
Is Sidney at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Sidney’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sidney.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sidney’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.