Photo: SalamanderEmergency · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Swanton’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Swanton gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #477 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2008.
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 Swanton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Swanton 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 Swanton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Swanton, and Swanton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 17% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #477 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Swanton’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, Swanton has less expected damage per building than 52% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $884K a year in losses across Swanton: $667K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Swanton flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Swanton, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Swanton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fulton County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Swanton
Disasters that paid out in Swanton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Swanton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
Fulton County has had 6 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 Swanton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Swanton archive →Get ready for what Swanton 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 Swanton
Is Swanton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Swanton has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #477 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Swanton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Swanton since 2008, $5K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Swanton 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 Fulton County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Swanton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Swanton’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 Swanton?
By FEMA money that reached Swanton, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding (2006): 4 households applied for aid, $8K approved.
Is Swanton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Swanton’s rate for it is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Swanton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Swanton’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.