Photo: Pythaglio · CC BY-SA 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Westerville than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westerville gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #709 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 11 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 Westerville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Westerville 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
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 Westerville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Westerville, and Westerville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
B #709 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Westerville’s residents live in 12 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, Westerville has more expected damage per building than 71% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.9M a year in losses across Westerville: $10.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Westerville flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Westerville, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Westerville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Westerville
Disasters that paid out in Westerville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Westerville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$75K to the City of Westerville for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$429K to the City of Westerville for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$32K to the City of Westerville for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides17 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$11K to the City of Westerville for repairs
- 2004Snow$43K to the City of Westerville for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides3 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds10 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$19K to the City of Westerville for repairs
Its 2 counties have had 20 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 Westerville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Westerville archive →Westerville and its neighbors
Westerville is 4th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharon Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 61 |
| Columbus | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 429 |
| Orange Township | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Westerville | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Genoa Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Blendon Township | B−more damage than 55% | 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 Westerville 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.
- 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 Westerville
Is Westerville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westerville has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #709 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Westerville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Westerville since 1979, $298K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Westerville 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 Franklin County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Westerville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Westerville’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 Westerville?
By FEMA money that reached Westerville, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $429K to the City of Westerville for repairs.
Is Westerville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Westerville’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Westerville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Westerville’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.