John McSweeney House · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Wooster’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wooster gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #133 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 2011.
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 Wooster’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wooster 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
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 Wooster’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wooster, and Wooster’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
A #133 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wooster’s residents live in 8 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, Wooster has less expected damage per building than 87% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.1M a year in losses across Wooster: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wooster flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wooster, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms4 claims · $214K
Wooster isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wayne County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Wooster
Disasters that paid out in Wooster itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wooster), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$55K to the City of Wooster for repairs
Wayne 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 Wooster after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wooster archive →Wooster and its neighbors
Wooster is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wooster Township | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Wooster | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Wayne Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Franklin Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Wooster 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.
- 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 Wooster
Is Wooster at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wooster has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #133 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wooster flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Wooster since 2011, $1.4M in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (4).
Is Wooster 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 Wayne County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wooster?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wooster’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 Wooster?
By FEMA money that reached Wooster, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): $55K to the City of Wooster for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 4 paid, $214K.
Is Wooster at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Wooster’s rate for it is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wooster.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wooster’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.