Xenia Carnegie Library · Photo: Christopher L. Riley · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Xenia’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Xenia gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #286 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 12 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 Xenia’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Xenia 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
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 Xenia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Xenia, and Xenia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
A #286 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Xenia’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, Xenia has less expected damage per building than 71% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.5M a year in losses across Xenia: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Xenia flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Xenia, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March storm1 claim · $13K
Xenia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Greene County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Xenia
Disasters that paid out in Xenia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Xenia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslide41 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$159K to the City of Xenia for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$32K to the City of Xenia for repairs
- 2004Snow$43K to the City of Xenia for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$33K to the City of Xenia for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Tornado$313K to the City of Xenia for repairs
Greene County has had 13 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 Xenia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Xenia archive →Xenia and its neighbors
Xenia is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xenia Township | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Wilberforce | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Xenia | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Beavercreek Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Sugarcreek Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Spring Valley Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 Xenia 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.
- 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 Xenia
Is Xenia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Xenia has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #286 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Xenia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Xenia since 1979, $191K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March storm (1).
Is Xenia 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 Greene County, 27% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Xenia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Xenia’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 Xenia?
By FEMA money that reached Xenia, Severe Storms and Tornado (2000): $313K to the City of Xenia for repairs. By flood claims, March storm: 1 paid, $13K.
Is Xenia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Xenia’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Xenia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Xenia’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.