Less hazard damage per building is expected in Wheelersburg than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wheelersburg gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #488 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1997.
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 Wheelersburg 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 Wheelersburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wheelersburg, and Wheelersburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #488 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wheelersburg’s residents live in 3 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, Wheelersburg has less expected damage per building than 51% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Wheelersburg: $991K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wheelersburg flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wheelersburg, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Wheelersburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Scioto County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wheelersburg
Disasters that paid out in Wheelersburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to Wheelersburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides13 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow186 households applied for aid$157K aid approved
Scioto 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 Wheelersburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wheelersburg archive →Wheelersburg and its neighbors
Wheelersburg has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelersburg | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Porter Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Sciotodale | — | 794 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Wheelersburg 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 Wheelersburg
Is Wheelersburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wheelersburg has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #488 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wheelersburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Wheelersburg since 1997, $23K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Wheelersburg 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 Scioto County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wheelersburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wheelersburg’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 Wheelersburg?
By FEMA money that reached Wheelersburg, Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow (2003): 186 households applied for aid, $157K approved.
Is Wheelersburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Wheelersburg’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wheelersburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wheelersburg’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.