Enter any address in Franklin County, Ohio to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Franklin County, OH. Between 2000 and 2023, NOAA data recorded 108 flood events and 67 flash flood events, with one reported fatality. For example, in July 2025, showers and thunderstorms produced heavy rainfall, leading to flash flooding.
NFIP claims data shows that properties in Zone A, which have a moderate to high flood risk, have filed the most claims (492) with an average payout of $7,418 and an average water depth of 1.6 feet. Properties in Zone X, which have a low to moderate flood risk, have also filed a significant number of claims (165) with a higher average payout of $8,012, despite a lower average water depth of 1.1 feet.
Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X, as well as those in Zone X_SHADED with an average payout of $8,991, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
7 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Franklin County, Ohio has recorded 175 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 67 flash floods and 108 river or area floods. The county has received 20 federal disaster declarations, 1 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1974–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms | Severe Storm | Jun 29, 2012 |
| Severe Storms And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Jun 29, 2012 |
| Severe Wind Storm Associated With Tropical Depression Ike | Severe Storm | Sep 14, 2008 |
| Record Snow And Near Record Snow | Snowstorm | Mar 7, 2008 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Dec 22, 2004 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Dec 22, 2004 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 27, 2004 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jul 26, 2025 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Jul 26, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 26, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 2, 2024 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Apr 2, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 24, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 12, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 3, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 21, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 14, 2022 | 0.00K |
Flood — Jul 26, 2025
Showers and thunderstorms developed in a warm and humid summertime airmass. Some of these storms were strong, producing damaging winds while others produced heavy rainfall, leading to flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jul 26, 2025
Showers and thunderstorms developed in a warm and humid summertime airmass. Some of these storms were strong, producing damaging winds while others produced heavy rainfall, leading to flash flooding.
Flood — Apr 2, 2024
A low pressure system moving through the Ohio Valley produced widespread showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening hours.
Flood — Jul 24, 2023
Scattered thunderstorms developed as a low pressure system moved through the Ohio Valley.
Flood — May 12, 2023
Showers and thunderstorms developed along a warm front during the evening hours. Some of the storms produced locally heavy rainfall.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Franklin County, Ohio:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Franklin County, Ohio that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.