Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts West Carrollton’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, West Carrollton gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #506 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1979.
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 West Carrollton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What West Carrollton 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 West Carrollton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Carrollton, and West Carrollton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #506 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Carrollton’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, West Carrollton has more expected damage per building than 51% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across West Carrollton: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Carrollton flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Carrollton, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
West Carrollton is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Montgomery County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Carrollton
Disasters that paid out in West Carrollton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of West Carrollton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$97K to the City of West Carrollton for repairs
- 2004Snow$37K to the City of West Carrollton for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$25K to the City of West Carrollton for repairs
Montgomery 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 West Carrollton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Carrollton archive →West Carrollton and its neighbors
West Carrollton has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Carrollton | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Miami Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Miamisburg | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Moraine | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 West Carrollton 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.
- West Carrollton residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in West Carrollton
Is West Carrollton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Carrollton has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #506 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Carrollton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in West Carrollton since 1979, $77K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is West Carrollton 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 Montgomery County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Carrollton?
West Carrollton is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in West Carrollton?
By FEMA money that reached West Carrollton, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $97K to the City of West Carrollton for repairs.
Is West Carrollton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and West Carrollton’s rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Carrollton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Carrollton’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.