Episcopal Church of the Ascension and Manse · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Wellsville faces more hazard damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wellsville gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 33 claims here since 1980.
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 Wellsville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wellsville 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
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 Wellsville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wellsville, and Wellsville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #992 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wellsville’s residents live in 4 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, Wellsville has more expected damage per building than 100% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Wellsville: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wellsville flood? Sometimes: 33 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wellsville, from FEMA’s records: 19.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan3 claims · $14K
Wellsville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Columbiana County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wellsville
Disasters that paid out in Wellsville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Wellsville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$14K to the Village of Wellsville for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding24 households applied for aid$35K aid approved$35K to the Village of Wellsville for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$6K to the Village of Wellsville for repairs
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds24 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
Columbiana County has had 15 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 Wellsville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wellsville archive →Wellsville and its neighbors
Wellsville is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow Creek Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Wellsville | D−more damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
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 Wellsville 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.
- 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 Wellsville
Is Wellsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wellsville has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wellsville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 33 claims in Wellsville since 1980, $98K in all, or 19.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (3).
Is Wellsville 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 Columbiana County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wellsville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wellsville’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 Wellsville?
By FEMA money that reached Wellsville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 24 households applied for aid, $35K approved, and $35K to the Village of Wellsville for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 3 paid, $14K.
Is Wellsville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and Wellsville’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wellsville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wellsville’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.