Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Smithfield Township than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Smithfield Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #897 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 146 claims here since 1980.
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 Smithfield Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Smithfield 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
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 Smithfield Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Smithfield Township, and Smithfield Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #897 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Smithfield 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, Smithfield Township has more expected damage per building than 90% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Smithfield Township: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Smithfield Township flood? Yes: 146 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Smithfield Township, from FEMA’s records: 98.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan61 claims · $593K
Smithfield 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: Jefferson County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Smithfield Township
Disasters that paid out in Smithfield Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Smithfield Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$42K to Smithfield Township for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$77K to Smithfield Township for repairs
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds5 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$26K to Smithfield Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Jefferson County has had 19 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 Smithfield Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Smithfield Township archive →Smithfield Township and its neighbors
Smithfield 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne Township | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Green Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Mount Pleasant Township | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Smithfield Township | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 146 |
| Warren Township | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Wells Township | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Short Creek Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Dillonvale | — | 586 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 Smithfield 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.
- 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 Smithfield Township
Is Smithfield Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Smithfield Township has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #897 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Smithfield Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 146 claims in Smithfield Township since 1980, $1.4M in all, or 98.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (61).
Is Smithfield 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 Jefferson County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Smithfield Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Smithfield 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 Smithfield Township?
By FEMA money that reached Smithfield Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 8 households applied for aid, $11K approved, and $77K to Smithfield Township for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 61 paid, $593K.
Is Smithfield Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Smithfield Township’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Smithfield Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Smithfield 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.