Flood insurance in Ohio

Flood insurance policies, average premiums, flood zones and claims history for Ohio, county by county, from official FEMA records.

Policies as of 5 September 2026Source: FEMA OpenFEMA
Active flood policies
22,156
NFIP policies in force
Average yearly premium
$1,120
$150 below the US average
Claims paid since 1978
$372.6M
across 28,417 claims
Policies in high-risk zones
65%
zones A and V, where known

Flood claims paid per year

NFIP claims paid in Ohio, 2000–2026

The three costliest years. The worst was 2007, with $46.2 million paid on 1,526 claims.

Insured buildings by flood zone

Zone V / VE0%
Coastal high-hazard areas with wave action. Flood insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone A / AE65%
High-risk areas with a 1% chance of flooding each year. Insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone X, B, C35%
Moderate to low risk. Insurance is optional, and policies are usually much cheaper.

Zone not reported for 45% of policies; shares are of policies with a known zone.

Costliest flood events

Named events by NFIP claims paid in Ohio

EventYearClaimsPaid
Late winter storms2011963$21.2 million
Flooding19971,108$21.0 million
Tropical Storm Ivan20041,003$19.5 million
Flooding1998531$8.4 million
Central U.S. April Flooding2025120$5.3 million

Flood insurance by county

Counties in Ohio with detailed pages, by number of policies. 71 smaller counties are included in the state totals.

CountyPoliciesAvg premiumClaims since 1978Paid
Franklin County1,531$1,2681,399$8.4 million
Hamilton County1,267$1,4971,950$34.1 million
Cuyahoga County1,234$1,2121,730$35.3 million
Montgomery County1,042$885347$2.1 million
Lucas County1,003$7841,201$7.7 million
Summit County981$793817$13.0 million
Ottawa County827$1,1881,384$9.5 million
Lorain County774$612538$7.1 million
Butler County691$1,084474$4.6 million
Erie County486$1,3591,103$8.3 million
Lake County473$1,117882$12.7 million
Washington County469$1,8331,302$18.3 million
Hancock County451$1,2612,049$38.6 million
Clermont County327$1,463623$10.2 million
Belmont County190$1,743653$7.8 million

Common questions

How much does flood insurance cost in Ohio?

The average NFIP flood insurance policy in Ohio costs about $1,120 a year. Your own premium depends on your building's flood risk, elevation and the coverage you choose.

How many homes have flood insurance in Ohio?

There are about 22,156 National Flood Insurance Program policies in force in Ohio, according to FEMA's latest policy data. Private flood policies are not included.

How often does Ohio flood?

Since 1978, NFIP policyholders in Ohio have filed 28,417 flood claims, with $372.6 million paid out. 2,933 of those claims were in the last 10 years.

Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?

No. Standard homeowners and renters insurance policies exclude flood damage. You need a separate flood policy from the NFIP or a private insurer.

How long until a new flood policy starts?

NFIP policies usually have a 30-day waiting period, so buying when a storm is already forecast is normally too late. Exceptions apply, for example when a lender requires the policy at closing.

How to get flood insurance

Most flood policies are sold through the National Flood Insurance Program by regular insurance agents. Ask the agent who handles your home or car insurance, or find one through FloodSmart.gov, FEMA's official flood insurance site. Private flood insurers also sell policies in many areas and are worth comparing.