Photo: Photo by and ©2006 Dustin M. Ramsey (Kralizec!) · CC BY-SA 2.5FEMA puts Woodville’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woodville gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1982.
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 Woodville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Woodville 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 Woodville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Woodville, and Woodville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Woodville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Woodville: $898K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Woodville flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Woodville, from FEMA’s records: 24.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms1 claim · $2K
Woodville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sandusky County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Woodville
Disasters that paid out in Woodville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Woodville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2004Snow$4K to the Village of Woodville for repairs
Sandusky 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 Woodville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Woodville archive →Get ready for what Woodville 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 Woodville
Is Woodville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woodville has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (6%). 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 Woodville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Woodville since 1982, $124K in all, or 24.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (1).
Is Woodville 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 Sandusky County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Woodville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Woodville’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 Woodville?
By FEMA money that reached Woodville, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding (2006): 8 households applied for aid, $5K approved. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Woodville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Woodville’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Woodville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Woodville’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.