Photo: Art Anderson · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Van Wert’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Van Wert gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #499 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 12 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 Van Wert 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
Hail
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 Van Wert’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Van Wert, and Van Wert’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 17% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #499 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Van Wert’s residents live in 5 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, Van Wert has more expected damage per building than 50% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Van Wert: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Van Wert flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Van Wert, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Van Wert isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Van Wert County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Van Wert
Disasters that paid out in Van Wert itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Van Wert), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$36K to the City of Van Wert for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$511 aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms and Tornadoes127 households applied for aid$75K aid approved
Van Wert County has had 9 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 Van Wert after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Van Wert archive →Van Wert and its neighbors
Van Wert has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Van Wert | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Pleasant Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Ridge Township | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 Van Wert 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.
- 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.
- 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 Van Wert
Is Van Wert at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Van Wert has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #499 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Van Wert flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Van Wert since 1978, $11K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Van Wert 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 Van Wert County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Van Wert?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Van Wert’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 Van Wert?
By FEMA money that reached Van Wert, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2002): 127 households applied for aid, $75K approved.
Is Van Wert at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Van Wert’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Van Wert.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Van Wert’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.