Photo: Sixflashphoto · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Whitehall’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Whitehall gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #496 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 44 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 Whitehall’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Whitehall 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
Earthquakes
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 Whitehall’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Whitehall, and Whitehall’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #496 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Whitehall’s residents live in 7 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, Whitehall has less expected damage per building than 50% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Whitehall: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Whitehall flood? Sometimes: 44 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Whitehall, from FEMA’s records: 4.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Whitehall 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 Whitehall
Disasters that paid out in Whitehall itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Whitehall), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$20K to the City of Whitehall for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$105K to the City of Whitehall for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$22K to the City of Whitehall for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides23 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$43K to the City of Whitehall for repairs
- 2004Snow$23K to the City of Whitehall for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides2 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds7 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$15K to the City of Whitehall for repairs
Franklin County has had 17 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 Whitehall after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Whitehall archive →Get ready for what Whitehall 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Whitehall
Is Whitehall at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Whitehall has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #496 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Whitehall flood?
Flood insurance has paid 44 claims in Whitehall since 1979, $250K in all, or 4.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Whitehall 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 Whitehall?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Whitehall’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 Whitehall?
By FEMA money that reached Whitehall, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $105K to the City of Whitehall for repairs.
Is Whitehall at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Whitehall’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Whitehall.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Whitehall’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.