Enter any address in Ottawa County, Ohio to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense thunderstorms is the most frequent flood event in Ottawa County, OH, with 14 recorded instances in the last 30 years. Other notable flood types include lakeshore flooding (11 events) and general flooding (9 events). Recent flash flood events occurred in August 2023, driven by atmospheric conditions that produced extreme instability and high moisture levels. Additionally, lakeshore flooding has impacted the area, such as in May 2020, when persistent northeast winds caused elevated water levels on Lake Erie.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates a significant number of claims in Zone A, with 983 claims averaging $7,000 and 1.6 feet of water depth. Properties in Zone X (unshaded and shaded) and Zone X also have recorded claims, though fewer in number. Residents in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X with higher average payouts and water depths, should pay close attention to flood risk. Homeowners located in areas prone to lakeshore flooding or flash flooding should also be aware of potential risks.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
31 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Ottawa County, Ohio has recorded 44 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 14 flash floods and 9 river or area floods. The county has received 13 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1969–2020)
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 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 27, 2004 |
| Severe Storms And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Nov 10, 2002 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jun 24, 1998 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 12, 1992 |
| Blizzards & Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Jan 26, 1978 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | May 31, 1974 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 24, 2023 | 400.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 23, 2023 | 250.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 23, 2023 | 750.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Apr 23, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Mar 22, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | May 16, 2020 | 250.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Jun 14, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | May 12, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Jun 6, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 6, 2020 | 400.00K |
Flash Flood — Aug 24, 2023
An anomalously-warm and moist air mass was in place across much of the Central Plains and Midwest, resulting in strong to perhaps extreme instability in addition to tropical-like precipitable water values exceeding 2.0 inches. The Lower Great Lakes region, specifically northern Ohio and Northwest Pennsylvania found itself on the eastern edge of this heat dome. Strong northwest flow aloft persis...
Flash Flood — Aug 23, 2023
An anomalously-warm and moist air mass was in place across much of the Central Plains and Midwest, resulting in strong to perhaps extreme instability in addition to tropical-like precipitable water values exceeding 2.0 inches. The Lower Great Lakes region, specifically northern Ohio and Northwest Pennsylvania found itself on the eastern edge of this heat dome. Strong northwest flow aloft persis...
Lakeshore Flood — Apr 23, 2020
An area of low pressure moved into the Ohio Valley on the 23rd followed by another slightly stronger low on the 25th. A near persistent north to northeast wind of 15 to 20 knots piled water up on the western basin on an already record lake levels. This supported a drawn out lakeshore flood event.
Lakeshore Flood — Mar 22, 2020
The western basin of Lake Erie from Lucas to Erie Counties was under a lakeshore flood warning on the evening of March 22nd into the early morning of the 23rd as an area of low pressure passed to the southeast of the lake. Persistent winds out of the northeast at 15 to 25 knots with higher gusts lasted for 24 hours, resulting in increased lake levels and high 2 to 4 foot breaking waves. Minor ...
Lakeshore Flood — May 16, 2020
A strengthening area of high pressure of James Bay extended down over Lake Erie. At the same time, an area of low pressure over the Central Plains increased the pressure gradient over the local area resulting in increased winds out of the east northeast. This persistent wind lead to water level rises in the western basin.||Water levels at Marblehead were elevated during a period of persistent n...
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 Ottawa 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 Ottawa 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.