Photo: David Wilson · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts Springfield’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Springfield gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #681 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 18 claims here since 1978.
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 Springfield’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Springfield 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 Springfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Springfield, and Springfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
B #681 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Springfield’s residents live in 26 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, Springfield has more expected damage per building than 69% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.9M a year in losses across Springfield: $11.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Springfield flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Springfield, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Springfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clark County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Springfield
Disasters that paid out in Springfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Springfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$89K to the City of Springfield for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$281K to the City of Springfield for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides61 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
- 2004Snow$85K to the City of Springfield for repairs
Clark County has had 7 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 Springfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Springfield archive →Springfield and its neighbors
Springfield 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moorefield Township | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Northridge | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
| German Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Mad River Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Springfield Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Springfield | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
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 Springfield 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 Springfield
Is Springfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Springfield has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #681 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Springfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Springfield since 1978, $128K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Springfield 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 Clark County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Springfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Springfield’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 Springfield?
By FEMA money that reached Springfield, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $281K to the City of Springfield for repairs.
Is Springfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Springfield’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Springfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Springfield’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.