Photo: Ken Lund · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Willard faces less hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Willard gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #465 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (13%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Willard 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
Hail
Strong wind
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 Willard’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Willard, and Willard’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #465 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Willard’s residents live in 2 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, Willard has less expected damage per building than 53% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Willard: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Willard flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Willard. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Willard isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Huron County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Willard
Disasters that paid out in Willard itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Willard), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$19K to the City of Willard for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides104 households applied for aid$114K aid approved$28K to the City of Willard for repairs
- 2004Snow$11K to the City of Willard for repairs
Huron 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 Willard after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Willard archive →Willard and its neighbors
Willard 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willard | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| New Haven Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Greenfield Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Norwich Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Richmond Township | — | 792 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 Willard 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Willard
Is Willard at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Willard has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #465 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Willard 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 Huron County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Willard?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Willard’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 Willard?
By FEMA money that reached Willard, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 104 households applied for aid, $114K approved, and $28K to the City of Willard for repairs.
Is Willard at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Willard’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Willard.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Willard’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.