Photo: Nyttend · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Union City than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Union City gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then tornadoes (22%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Union City 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
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 Union City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Union City, and Union City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 22%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Union City’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $518K a year in losses across Union City: $383K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Union City flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Union City. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Union City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Darke County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Union City
Disasters that paid out in Union City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Union City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides176 households applied for aid$104K aid approved$54K to the Village of Union City for repairs
- 2004Snow$3K to the Village of Union City for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$2K to the Village of Union City for repairs
Darke County has had 10 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 Union City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Union City archive →Get ready for what Union City 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.
- 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 Union City
Is Union City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Union City has lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and tornadoes (22%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Union City 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 Darke County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Union City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Union City’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 Union City?
By FEMA money that reached Union City, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 176 households applied for aid, $104K approved, and $54K to the Village of Union City for repairs.
Is Union City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Union City’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Union City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Union City’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.