Camden Public School · Photo: Christopher L. Riley · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Somers Township’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Somers Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #919 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1989.
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 Somers 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 Somers Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Somers Township, and Somers Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C #919 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Somers 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, Somers Township has more expected damage per building than 93% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Somers Township: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Somers Township flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Somers Township, from FEMA’s records: 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Somers 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: Preble County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Somers Township
Disasters that paid out in Somers Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Somers Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$5K to Somers Township for repairs
- 2004Snow$5K to Somers Township for repairs
Preble County has had 8 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 Somers Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Somers Township archive →Somers Township and its neighbors
Somers Township is 6th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gratis Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Israel Township | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Gasper Township | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Milford Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Camden | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Somers Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
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 Somers 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 Somers Township
Is Somers Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Somers Township has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #919 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Somers Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Somers Township since 1989, $59K in all, or 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Somers 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 Preble County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Somers Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Somers 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 Somers Township?
By FEMA money that reached Somers Township, Snow (2004): $5K to Somers Township for repairs.
Is Somers Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Somers Township’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Somers Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Somers 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.