Photo: User:OHWiki · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Upper Sandusky faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Upper Sandusky gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #751 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1981.
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 Upper Sandusky 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
Strong wind
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 Upper Sandusky’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Upper Sandusky, and Upper Sandusky’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B #751 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Upper Sandusky’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, Upper Sandusky has more expected damage per building than 76% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Upper Sandusky: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Upper Sandusky flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Upper Sandusky, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Upper Sandusky isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wyandot County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Upper Sandusky
Disasters that paid out in Upper Sandusky itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Upper Sandusky), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$24K to the City of Upper Sandusky for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$9K to the City of Upper Sandusky for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes190 households applied for aid$315K aid approved$28K to the City of Upper Sandusky for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides68 households applied for aid$38K aid approved$35K to the City of Upper Sandusky for repairs
- 2004Snow$10K to the City of Upper Sandusky for repairs
Wyandot County has had 8 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 Upper Sandusky after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Upper Sandusky archive →Upper Sandusky and its neighbors
Upper Sandusky has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Sandusky | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Crane Township | Bless damage than 57% | 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 Upper Sandusky 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Upper Sandusky
Is Upper Sandusky at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Upper Sandusky has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #751 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Upper Sandusky flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Upper Sandusky since 1981, $2K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Upper Sandusky 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 Wyandot County, 1.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Upper Sandusky?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Upper Sandusky’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 Upper Sandusky?
By FEMA money that reached Upper Sandusky, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2007): 190 households applied for aid, $315K approved, and $28K to the City of Upper Sandusky for repairs.
Is Upper Sandusky at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Upper Sandusky’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Upper Sandusky.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Upper Sandusky’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.