Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Worthington faces less hazard damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Worthington gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #160 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 40 claims 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 stands out about Worthington’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Worthington 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
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 Worthington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Worthington, and Worthington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
A #160 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Worthington’s residents live in 7 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, Worthington has less expected damage per building than 84% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Worthington: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Worthington flood? Sometimes: 40 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Worthington, from FEMA’s records: 6.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Worthington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Worthington
Disasters that paid out in Worthington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Worthington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$19K to the City of Worthington for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$195K to the City of Worthington for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$29K to the City of Worthington for repairs
- 2004Snow$23K to the City of Worthington for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$19K to the City of Worthington for repairs
Franklin County has had 17 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 Worthington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Worthington archive →Worthington and its neighbors
Worthington has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worthington | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
| Sharon Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 61 |
| Perry Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Riverlea | — | 543 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 Worthington 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.
- 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 Worthington
Is Worthington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Worthington has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #160 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Worthington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 40 claims in Worthington since 1979, $271K in all, or 6.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Worthington 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 Franklin County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Worthington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Worthington’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 Worthington?
By FEMA money that reached Worthington, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $195K to the City of Worthington for repairs.
Is Worthington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Worthington’s rate for it is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Worthington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Worthington’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.