Ohio flood insurance and flood history
From FEMA's flood insurance and disaster data · Updated 2026-10-08
FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data lists 28,417 flood insurance claims in Ohio since 1978. The NFIP paid $372.6 million on them (building, contents and Increased Cost of Compliance payments, in the dollars of the year paid).
The year with the most claims was 2004, with 2,223, mostly from Tropical Storm Ivan.
In the last ten years (2017–2026) there were 2,933 claims, and the average paid claim was $29,927.
27% of the claims with a recorded flood zone came from buildings outside FEMA's high-risk zones (rated zones B, C and X).
About 0.4% of homes in Ohio had an NFIP flood policy in FEMA's latest count (18,040 of 4,322,423 residential buildings). In the high-risk flood zones (Special Flood Hazard Areas), it was 16% (12,183 of 73,981).
Since 2000, FEMA has made 18 flood-related disaster declarations covering parts of Ohio. The most recent was DR-4945-OH (Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Landslides), declared October 2, 2026.
Flood insurance claims in Ohio by year
Show as a table
| Year | Claims | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 315 | $3.4 million |
| 2025 | 185 | $7.5 million |
| 2024 | 160 | $5.1 million |
| 2023 | 126 | $3.5 million |
| 2022 | 187 | $2.5 million |
| 2021 | 203 | $4.2 million |
| 2020 | 484 | $13.5 million |
| 2019 | 388 | $9.0 million |
| 2018 | 475 | $10.9 million |
| 2017 | 410 | $5.4 million |
| 2016 | 83 | $697,705 |
| 2015 | 534 | $7.9 million |
| 2014 | 588 | $12.8 million |
| 2013 | 678 | $14.2 million |
| 2012 | 196 | $3.0 million |
| 2011 | 1,615 | $30.1 million |
| 2010 | 161 | $2.0 million |
| 2009 | 276 | $2.1 million |
| 2008 | 874 | $10.5 million |
| 2007 | 1,526 | $46.2 million |
| 2006 | 745 | $21.6 million |
| 2005 | 1,106 | $10.7 million |
| 2004 | 2,223 | $36.3 million |
| 2003 | 774 | $12.0 million |
| 2002 | 164 | $1.4 million |
| 2001 | 233 | $3.8 million |
| 2000 | 342 | $2.1 million |
| 1999 | 72 | $396,457 |
| 1998 | 1,246 | $14.7 million |
| 1997 | 1,692 | $25.9 million |
| 1996 | 557 | $4.1 million |
| 1995 | 257 | $1.8 million |
| 1994 | 472 | $6.2 million |
| 1993 | 145 | $897,038 |
| 1992 | 269 | $1.5 million |
| 1991 | 130 | $431,626 |
| 1990 | 698 | $4.1 million |
| 1989 | 375 | $2.1 million |
| 1988 | 39 | $220,661 |
| 1987 | 418 | $1.9 million |
| 1986 | 196 | $526,085 |
| 1985 | 726 | $4.4 million |
| 1984 | 220 | $584,915 |
| 1983 | 180 | $627,422 |
| 1982 | 1,089 | $6.0 million |
| 1981 | 1,024 | $3.8 million |
| 1980 | 909 | $2.7 million |
| 1979 | 1,765 | $5.3 million |
| 1978 | 887 | $2.3 million |
Biggest flood events by NFIP payments
The flood events FEMA's claims data names most often for Ohio, ranked by what the NFIP paid. FEMA names events in its claims records; claims without an event name aren't included here.
| Event | Year | Claims | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Late winter storms | 2011 | 963 | $21.2 million |
| Flooding | 1997 | 1,108 | $21.0 million |
| Tropical Storm Ivan | 2004 | 1,003 | $19.5 million |
| Flooding | 1998 | 531 | $8.4 million |
| Central U.S. April Flooding | 2025 | 120 | $5.3 million |
| Flooding | 1985 | 552 | $3.7 million |
| Flooding | 1990 | 413 | $2.7 million |
| Flooding | 1981 | 490 | $2.5 million |
| Flooding | 1996 | 262 | $2.2 million |
| Tropical Storm Erin | 2007 | 81 | $2.0 million |
What flood insurance costs in Ohio
On June 30, 2026, 21,869 NFIP flood insurance policies were in force in Ohio. For the 16,375 single-family homes among them, the typical (median) yearly cost was about $910; the average was $1,090.
| Rated flood zone | Policies | Typical yearly cost, single-family home | Average cost | Average building coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-risk zones (A and V) | 14,708 | $1,010 | $1,220 | $151,000 |
| Moderate- and low-risk zones (B, C and X) | 7,160 | $710 | $820 | $210,000 |
Cost here is what FEMA's data lists as the policy cost: the premium plus the reserve fund assessment, federal policy fee and HFIAA surcharge. It covers single-family homes only (not condos, apartments or businesses), with costs rounded to the nearest $10 and shown only where at least 20 homes back the figure. Your own price depends on your building and the coverage you choose; see how flood insurance is priced. Private flood insurance isn't included.
Policies and average cost by exact flood zone
Flood history by county
Every Ohio county in FEMA's data, sorted by number of NFIP claims since 1978. "Insured" is the share of homes with an NFIP policy; "typical NFIP cost" is the median yearly cost for single-family homes.
| County | Claims | Paid | Insured | Typical NFIP cost | Flood declarations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hancock County | 2,049 | $38.6 million | 1.4% | $1,160 | 3 |
| Hamilton County | 1,950 | $34.1 million | 0.4% | $940 | 5 |
| Cuyahoga County | 1,730 | $35.3 million | 0.2% | $710 | 5 |
| Franklin County | 1,399 | $8.4 million | 0.3% | $960 | 5 |
| Ottawa County | 1,384 | $9.5 million | 2.1% | $1,110 | 1 |
| Washington County | 1,302 | $18.3 million | 1.2% | $1,140 | 6 |
| Lucas County | 1,201 | $7.7 million | 0.6% | $790 | 3 |
| Erie County | 1,103 | $8.3 million | 1.2% | $1,040 | 2 |
| Lake County | 882 | $12.7 million | 0.5% | $940 | 2 |
| Summit County | 817 | $13.0 million | 0.4% | $690 | 3 |
| Belmont County | 653 | $7.8 million | 0.4% | $1,260 | 6 |
| Clermont County | 623 | $10.2 million | 0.4% | $1,210 | 5 |
| Lorain County | 538 | $7.1 million | 0.5% | $610 | 3 |
| Butler County | 474 | $4.6 million | 0.5% | $1,110 | 2 |
| Lawrence County | 467 | $4.7 million | 0.9% | $1,110 | 5 |
| Putnam County | 461 | $10.1 million | 0.8% | $1,040 | 3 |
| Stark County | 456 | $8.3 million | 0.2% | $810 | 5 |
| Athens County | 422 | $5.4 million | 0.8% | $1,210 | 7 |
| Trumbull County | 405 | $3.7 million | 0.4% | $810 | 2 |
| Licking County | 400 | $4.4 million | 0.6% | $940 | 5 |
| Jefferson County | 397 | $4.0 million | 0.5% | $1,360 | 8 |
| Guernsey County | 373 | $8.4 million | 0.4% | $840 | 6 |
| Montgomery County | 347 | $2.1 million | 0.5% | $790 | 3 |
| Defiance County | 330 | $2.4 million | 0.3% | $1,310 | 1 |
| Richland County | 329 | $9.8 million | 0.2% | $790 | 5 |
| Scioto County | 318 | $2.7 million | 0.7% | $990 | 6 |
| Fairfield County | 311 | $2.9 million | 0.8% | $990 | 2 |
| Mahoning County | 305 | $2.8 million | 0.2% | $540 | 5 |
| Medina County | 290 | $4.7 million | 0.3% | $660 | 4 |
| Meigs County | 273 | $2.5 million | 1.1% | $1,010 | 6 |
| Allen County | 259 | $4.1 million | 0.4% | $860 | 3 |
| Marion County | 240 | $3.2 million | 0.7% | $1,010 | 2 |
| Wood County | 210 | $1.6 million | 0.3% | $940 | 1 |
| Warren County | 209 | $2.2 million | 0.6% | $960 | 2 |
| Jackson County | 193 | $3.0 million | 0.4% | $960 | 5 |
| Tuscarawas County | 192 | $1.2 million | 0.5% | $790 | 4 |
| Morgan County | 185 | $2.0 million | 0.5% | $1,810 | 7 |
| Muskingum County | 182 | $2.2 million | 0.3% | $1,240 | 6 |
| Gallia County | 176 | $1.6 million | 1.0% | $1,140 | 5 |
| Wayne County | 175 | $2.8 million | 0.3% | $710 | 2 |
| Noble County | 174 | $2.9 million | 0.7% | $1,210 | 7 |
| Henry County | 163 | $1.3 million | 0.4% | $1,160 | 2 |
| Hocking County | 157 | $2.2 million | 0.8% | $1,560 | 6 |
| Greene County | 156 | $1.6 million | 0.7% | $760 | 2 |
| Adams County | 155 | $1.4 million | 0.3% | $1,140 | 7 |
| Crawford County | 154 | $2.8 million | 0.2% | $990 | 5 |
| Miami County | 150 | $2.3 million | 0.7% | $810 | 3 |
| Brown County | 149 | $1.8 million | 0.4% | $1,140 | 6 |
| Ashtabula County | 146 | $2.0 million | 0.2% | $890 | 3 |
| Sandusky County | 145 | $826,319 | 0.5% | $1,010 | 2 |
| Perry County | 137 | $1.8 million | 0.6% | $940 | 8 |
| Clark County | 136 | $4.3 million | 0.5% | $910 | 2 |
| Wyandot County | 127 | $2.5 million | 1.1% | $840 | 3 |
| Ross County | 125 | $1.2 million | 0.3% | $1,140 | 5 |
| Auglaize County | 124 | $2.3 million | 0.6% | $760 | 4 |
| Seneca County | 123 | $1.9 million | 0.3% | $1,190 | 3 |
| Holmes County | 120 | $657,019 | 0.3% | $1,360 | 3 |
| Logan County | 117 | $1.4 million | 0.9% | $910 | 4 |
| Columbiana County | 116 | $892,293 | 0.2% | $990 | 7 |
| Monroe County | 108 | $1.2 million | 0.3% | $1,410 | 7 |
| Pike County | 105 | $1.7 million | 0.6% | $1,690 | 7 |
| Delaware County | 101 | $995,242 | 0.3% | $790 | 3 |
| Shelby County | 97 | $1.6 million | 0.7% | $1,160 | 3 |
| Mercer County | 96 | $1.3 million | 0.4% | $840 | 4 |
| Harrison County | 90 | $527,423 | 0.4% | $1,140 | 5 |
| Portage County | 85 | $863,328 | 0.4% | $760 | 3 |
| Geauga County | 73 | $1.5 million | 0.3% | $740 | 3 |
| Huron County | 71 | $800,698 | 0.3% | $710 | 3 |
| Pickaway County | 71 | $707,735 | 0.3% | $1,240 | 3 |
| Knox County | 65 | $263,679 | 0.5% | $1,440 | 3 |
| Coshocton County | 60 | $216,323 | 0.3% | $1,190 | 3 |
| Ashland County | 58 | $761,659 | 0.4% | $990 | 2 |
| Union County | 56 | $430,094 | 0.3% | $1,140 | 2 |
| Preble County | 48 | $371,766 | 0.5% | $960 | 1 |
| Champaign County | 38 | $252,288 | 0.4% | $840 | 2 |
| Van Wert County | 36 | $230,944 | 0.3% | $840 | 3 |
| Darke County | 35 | $237,584 | 0.3% | $910 | 4 |
| Fulton County | 34 | $165,845 | 0.3% | $760 | 1 |
| Paulding County | 34 | $238,611 | 0.6% | $910 | 2 |
| Williams County | 32 | $763,838 | 0.2% | $710 | 1 |
| Carroll County | 31 | $613,661 | 0.4% | $1,190 | 4 |
| Madison County | 22 | $149,444 | 0.3% | $860 | 1 |
| Fayette County | 20 | $24,046 | 0.2% | $1,040 | 2 |
| Hardin County | 17 | $329,516 | 0.5% | $940 | 3 |
| Clinton County | 16 | $206,055 | 0.4% | $810 | 1 |
| Vinton County | 15 | $162,547 | 0.1% | n/a | 5 |
| Morrow County | 9 | $71,345 | 0.2% | n/a | 2 |
| Highland County | 2 | $11,992 | 0.0% | n/a | 2 |
Flood-related FEMA disaster declarations in Ohio
Declarations since 2000 that FEMA lists as involving flooding. "Help for individuals" means FEMA's Individual Assistance was approved for at least part of the area.
| Declaration | Declared | Event | Help for individuals |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4945-OH | Oct 2, 2026 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Landslides | Apply by Dec 1, 2026 →Closed Dec 1, 2026 |
| DR-4447-OH | Jun 18, 2019 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslide | Yes |
| DR-4424-OH | Apr 8, 2019 | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides | No |
| DR-4360-OH | Apr 17, 2018 | Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides | No |
| DR-4098-OH | Jan 3, 2013 | Severe Storms and Flooding Due to the Remnants of Hurricane Sandy | No |
| DR-4002-OH | Jul 13, 2011 | Severe Storms and Flooding | No |
| DR-1720-OH | Aug 27, 2007 | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes | Yes |
| DR-1656-OH | Aug 1, 2006 | Severe Storms, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-1651-OH | Jul 2, 2006 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-1580-OH | Feb 15, 2005 | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides | Yes |
| DR-1556-OH | Sep 19, 2004 | Severe Storms and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-1519-OH | Jun 3, 2004 | Severe Storms and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-1507-OH | Jan 26, 2004 | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides | Yes |
| DR-1484-OH | Aug 1, 2003 | Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds | Yes |
| DR-1478-OH | Jul 15, 2003 | Severe Storms and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-1390-OH | Aug 27, 2001 | Severe Storms and Flooding | No |
| DR-1339-OH | Aug 21, 2000 | Severe Storms and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-1321-OH | Mar 7, 2000 | Severe Storms and Flooding | Yes |
What to do with this
A county's history doesn't tell you your own building's risk. To see your property's flood zone, use FEMA's flood map lookup. To weigh coverage, start with do I need flood insurance? and what flood insurance costs.
Where these numbers come from
All figures on this page are calculated from FEMA's public OpenFEMA datasets:
- NFIP Redacted Claims (v3) (FEMA (OpenFEMA)): NFIP claims since 1978, downloaded 2026-10-08. Dollar amounts are what the NFIP paid, not adjusted for inflation. Claims filed under private flood insurance aren't included.
- NFIP Residential Penetration Rates (v1) (FEMA (OpenFEMA)): NFIP residential policy contracts in force (as of August 3, 2026) divided by FEMA's count of residential buildings from the National Structure Inventory. FEMA notes that inventory is incomplete in some counties, which can inflate the rate. Private flood policies aren't counted.
- NFIP Redacted Policies (v3) (FEMA (OpenFEMA)): NFIP policies in force on June 30, 2026 (a policy counts if its term covers that date and it wasn't cancelled), downloaded 2026-10-08. Policy counts are FEMA's insured units, so a condominium association policy counts each unit. Costs are FEMA's "policy cost" (premium plus reserve fund assessment, federal policy fee and HFIAA surcharge) for single-family homes only. Policies FEMA's data doesn't place in a county count toward the state only.
- Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2) (FEMA (OpenFEMA)): disaster declarations, downloaded 2026-10-08. We count a declaration as flood-related when FEMA lists flooding (or a dam or levee break) as its incident type or a designated incident type, or the declaration's title mentions flooding.
FEMA's redacted claims data doesn't identify properties, and FEMA notes that some records lack a county or flood zone. See how we use the data.