Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Woodlawn’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woodlawn gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #202 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1994.
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 Woodlawn 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 Woodlawn’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Woodlawn, and Woodlawn’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 22% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
A #202 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Woodlawn’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Ohio town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Woodlawn has less expected damage per building than 80% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Woodlawn: $813K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Woodlawn flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Woodlawn, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Woodlawn isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hamilton County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Woodlawn
Disasters that paid out in Woodlawn itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Woodlawn), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$115K to the Village of Woodlawn for repairs
- 2004Snow$15K to the Village of Woodlawn for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms and Flooding$28K to the Village of Woodlawn for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Hamilton County has had 16 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 Woodlawn after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Woodlawn archive →Woodlawn and its neighbors
Woodlawn is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Heights | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Woodlawn | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Evendale | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Springfield Township | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Wyoming | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Glendale | C+more damage than 56% | 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 Woodlawn 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 Woodlawn
Is Woodlawn at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woodlawn has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #202 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (22%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Woodlawn flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Woodlawn since 1994, $66K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Woodlawn 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 Hamilton County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Woodlawn?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Woodlawn’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 Woodlawn?
By FEMA money that reached Woodlawn, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $115K to the Village of Woodlawn for repairs.
Is Woodlawn at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Woodlawn’s rate for it is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Woodlawn.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Woodlawn’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.