Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Somerford Township as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Somerford Township gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #804 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 Somerford 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
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 Somerford Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Somerford Township, and Somerford Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #804 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Somerford Township’s residents live in 3 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, Somerford Township has more expected damage per building than 81% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $978K a year in losses across Somerford Township: $840K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Somerford Township flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Somerford Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Somerford 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: Madison County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Somerford Township
Disasters that paid out in Somerford Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Somerford Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$14K to Somerford Township for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$1K to Somerford Township for repairs
Madison County has had 9 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 Somerford Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Somerford Township archive →Somerford Township and its neighbors
Somerford Township is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pleasant Township | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Goshen Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Monroe Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Somerford Township | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Deer Creek Township | — | 981 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Pike Township | — | 475 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 Somerford 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.
- 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 Somerford Township
Is Somerford Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Somerford Township has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #804 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Somerford Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Somerford Township since 1979, $6K in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Somerford 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 Madison County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Somerford Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Somerford 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 Somerford Township?
By FEMA money that reached Somerford Township, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $14K to Somerford Township for repairs.
Is Somerford Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Somerford Township’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Somerford Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Somerford 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.