Photo: Public domain · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Wapakoneta than in 60% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wapakoneta gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #874 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%). Flood insurance has paid 23 claims here since 1990.
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 Wapakoneta’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wapakoneta 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
Earthquakes
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 Wapakoneta’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wapakoneta, and Wapakoneta’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 9% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #874 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wapakoneta’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, Wapakoneta has more expected damage per building than 88% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Wapakoneta: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wapakoneta flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wapakoneta, from FEMA’s records: 4.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms3 claims · $85K
Wapakoneta isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Auglaize County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wapakoneta
Disasters that paid out in Wapakoneta itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wapakoneta), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tornadoes40 households applied for aid$42K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslide21 households applied for aid$56K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$68K to the City of Wapakoneta for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides704 households applied for aid$468K aid approved$90K to the City of Wapakoneta for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Auglaize 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 Wapakoneta after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wapakoneta archive →Wapakoneta and its neighbors
Wapakoneta 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pusheta Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Duchouquet Township | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Wapakoneta | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
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 Wapakoneta 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Wapakoneta
Is Wapakoneta at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wapakoneta has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #874 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and earthquakes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wapakoneta flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Wapakoneta since 1990, $518K in all, or 4.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (3).
Is Wapakoneta 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 Auglaize County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Wapakoneta?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wapakoneta’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 Wapakoneta?
By FEMA money that reached Wapakoneta, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 704 households applied for aid, $468K approved, and $90K to the City of Wapakoneta for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 3 paid, $85K.
Is Wapakoneta at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Wapakoneta’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wapakoneta.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wapakoneta’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.