Photo: PokéTube · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Steubenville than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Steubenville gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #272 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 9 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 Steubenville 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
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 Steubenville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Steubenville, and Steubenville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts).
A #272 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Steubenville’s residents live in 11 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, Steubenville has less expected damage per building than 73% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across Steubenville: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Steubenville flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Steubenville, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Steubenville 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Steubenville
Disasters that paid out in Steubenville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Steubenville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$67K to the City of Steubenville for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides10 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$168K to the City of Steubenville for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding47 households applied for aid$60K aid approved$85K to the City of Steubenville for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$45K to the City of Steubenville for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides8 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$44K to the City of Steubenville for repairs
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
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 Steubenville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Steubenville archive →Steubenville and its neighbors
Steubenville is 2nd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wintersville | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Steubenville | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Cross Creek Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Island Creek Township | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Mingo Junction | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Weirton | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 143 |
| Steubenville Township | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Pottery Addition | — | 110 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 Steubenville 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.
- 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 Steubenville
Is Steubenville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Steubenville has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #272 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Steubenville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Steubenville since 1980, $53K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Steubenville 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 Steubenville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Steubenville’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 Steubenville?
By FEMA money that reached Steubenville, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 10 households applied for aid, $22K approved, and $168K to the City of Steubenville for repairs.
Is Steubenville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Steubenville’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Steubenville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Steubenville’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.