Photo: Paul Sableman · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts Zanesville’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Zanesville gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #938 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 23 claims here since 1980.
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 Zanesville 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
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 Zanesville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Zanesville, and Zanesville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #938 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Zanesville’s residents live in 12 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, Zanesville has more expected damage per building than 94% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.5M a year in losses across Zanesville: $8.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Zanesville flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Zanesville, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March storm1 claim · $29K
Zanesville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Muskingum County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Zanesville
Disasters that paid out in Zanesville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Zanesville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$11K to the City of Zanesville for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides$13K to the City of Zanesville for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$54K to the City of Zanesville for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides114 households applied for aid$222K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding52 households applied for aid$94K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$24K to the City of Zanesville for repairs
Muskingum County has had 14 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 Zanesville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Zanesville archive →Zanesville and its neighbors
Zanesville is 9th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Grove | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Washington Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| North Zanesville | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Muskingum Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| South Zanesville | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Springfield Township | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Falls Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Wayne Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Zanesville | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
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 Zanesville 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.
- 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 Zanesville
Is Zanesville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Zanesville has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #938 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Zanesville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Zanesville since 1980, $440K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March storm (1).
Is Zanesville 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 Muskingum County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Zanesville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Zanesville’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 Zanesville?
By FEMA money that reached Zanesville, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 114 households applied for aid, $222K approved. By flood claims, March storm: 1 paid, $29K.
Is Zanesville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Zanesville’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Zanesville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Zanesville’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.