Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in St. Marys as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Marys gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #773 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 46 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 St. Marys’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What St. Marys 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
Earthquakes
Hail
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 St. Marys’ grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in St. Marys, and St. Marys’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
B #773 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
St. Marys’ residents live in 4 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, St. Marys has more expected damage per building than 78% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across St. Marys: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does St. Marys flood? Sometimes: 46 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in St. Marys, from FEMA’s records: 12.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms21 claims · $597K
St. Marys isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Auglaize County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to St. Marys
Disasters that paid out in St. Marys itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of St. Marys), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tornadoes16 households applied for aid$29K aid approved
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides204 households applied for aid$120K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding14 households applied for aid$19K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Auglaize 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 St. Marys after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the St. Marys archive →St. Marys and its neighbors
St. Marys has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Marys | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
| St. Marys Township | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 63 |
| Noble Township | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 St. Marys 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 St. Marys
Is St. Marys at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Marys has lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #773 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does St. Marys flood?
Flood insurance has paid 46 claims in St. Marys since 1980, $884K in all, or 12.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (21).
Is St. Marys 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 Auglaize County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in St. Marys?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for St. Marys’ 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 St. Marys?
By FEMA money that reached St. Marys, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 204 households applied for aid, $120K approved. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 21 paid, $597K.
Is St. Marys at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and St. Marys’ rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in St. Marys.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where St. Marys’ 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.