Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Sutton Township’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sutton Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #965 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 69 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 Sutton 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
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 Sutton Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sutton Township, and Sutton Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 1%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #965 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sutton 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, Sutton Township has more expected damage per building than 97% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Sutton Township: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sutton Township flood? Sometimes: 69 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sutton Township, from FEMA’s records: 41.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan16 claims · $260K
Sutton 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: Meigs County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sutton Township
Disasters that paid out in Sutton Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Sutton Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides$14K to Sutton Township for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$2K to Sutton Township for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$36K to Sutton Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$2K to Sutton Township for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$28K to Sutton Township for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$34K to Sutton Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Meigs County has had 14 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 Sutton Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sutton Township archive →Sutton Township and its neighbors
Sutton Township is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chester Township | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Sutton Township | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 69 |
| New Haven | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Salisbury Township | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Letart Township | — | 728 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Syracuse | — | 593 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Lebanon Township | — | 769 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 Sutton 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.
- 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 Sutton Township
Is Sutton Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sutton Township has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #965 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sutton Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 69 claims in Sutton Township since 1978, $734K in all, or 41.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (16).
Is Sutton 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 Meigs County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sutton Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sutton 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 Sutton Township?
By FEMA money that reached Sutton Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): $36K to Sutton Township for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 16 paid, $260K.
Is Sutton Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Sutton Township’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sutton Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sutton 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.