FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Sylvania as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sylvania gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #831 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1982.
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 Sylvania 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 Sylvania’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sylvania, and Sylvania’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #831 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sylvania’s residents live in 12 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, Sylvania has more expected damage per building than 84% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.1M a year in losses across Sylvania: $5.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sylvania flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sylvania, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Sylvania isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lucas County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Sylvania
Disasters that paid out in Sylvania itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sylvania), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding57 households applied for aid$64K aid approved
Lucas County has had 12 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 Sylvania after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sylvania archive →Sylvania and its neighbors
Sylvania is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whiteford Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Sylvania Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Sylvania | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Sylvania 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 Sylvania
Is Sylvania at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sylvania has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #831 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sylvania flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Sylvania since 1982, $5K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Sylvania 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 Lucas County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sylvania?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sylvania’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 Sylvania?
By FEMA money that reached Sylvania, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding (2006): 57 households applied for aid, $64K approved.
Is Sylvania at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Sylvania’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sylvania.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sylvania’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.