Photo: Christopher L. Riley · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Wilmington than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wilmington gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #104 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Wilmington 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
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 Wilmington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wilmington, and Wilmington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 17% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #104 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wilmington’s residents live in 4 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, Wilmington has less expected damage per building than 90% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Wilmington: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wilmington flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wilmington, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Wilmington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clinton County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wilmington
Disasters that paid out in Wilmington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wilmington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$124K to the City of Wilmington for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$47K to the City of Wilmington for repairs
Clinton County has had 7 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 Wilmington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wilmington archive →Get ready for what Wilmington 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.
- 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 Wilmington
Is Wilmington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wilmington has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #104 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wilmington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Wilmington since 1979, $697 in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Wilmington 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 Clinton County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wilmington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wilmington’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 Wilmington?
By FEMA money that reached Wilmington, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $124K to the City of Wilmington for repairs.
Is Wilmington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Wilmington’s rate for it is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wilmington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wilmington’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.