Enter any address in Van Wert County, Ohio to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense rainfall events is the primary flood concern in Van Wert County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 10 recorded flash flood events and 8 flood events. For example, residents experienced flash flooding on July 10, 2017, due to a slow-moving weather boundary and an approaching upper-level wave. Similarly, on May 24, 2017, training thunderstorms produced intense rainfall, leading to rapid water rises, road closures, and rescues, particularly impacting the town of Wren.
Homeowners in Van Wert County should be aware of flood risk, especially those located in Zone A or Zone X. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced higher average water depths and significantly larger average payouts compared to other zones. While Zone X claims show the highest average payouts, suggesting potential for substantial damage, even properties with unknown flood zone designations have incurred claims. Residents in areas prone to rapid water rises, as seen in past flash flood events, should remain vigilant.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
8 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Van Wert County, Ohio has recorded 18 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 10 flash floods and 8 river or area floods. The county has received 13 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2020)
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 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Dec 22, 2004 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 27, 2004 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 4, 2003 |
| Severe Storms And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Nov 10, 2002 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 12, 1992 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 24, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 10, 2017 | 425.00K |
| Flood | Jun 27, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 15, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 15, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 9, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 27, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 6, 2008 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 21, 2007 | 250.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 22, 2004 | — |
Flash Flood — May 24, 2017
An upper level system interacted with an unstable environment, causing the development of thunderstorms. High precipitable water values and training of several thunderstorms cause a narrow swath of intense rainfall. This subsequently caused rapid water rises in rural and urban areas, resulting in numerous road closures as well as some rescues from stranded vehicles. The town of Wren was the har...
Flash Flood — Jul 10, 2017
Synoptic quasi-stationary boundary was located across the forecast area, initially across northern parts during the morning and then sagging south as an upper level wave moved into the region during the late afternoon and evening hours. A morning complex of storms caused sporadic wind damage as well as some areal flooding. Subsidence behind the system kept any further development of storms limi...
Flood — Jun 27, 2015
Thunderstorms produced torrential rainfall in portions of northwestern Ohio. A combination of upstream rainfall in Fort Wayne, Indiana and rainfall across Putnam county set the stage for flash flooding in the town of Payne, forcing evacuation of parts of the town as several inches of rain fell both upstream in Indiana and over the area. A similar scenario took place in Deshler (Henry county) wh...
Flash Flood — Jun 15, 2015
The edge of strong high pressure was situated over northwestern Ohio as a series of disturbances moved into the region. In addition, the remnants of a tropical system added to already abundant moisture to set the stage for isolated severe storms and several rounds of torrential rainfall for parts of northwestern Ohio. Rainfall rates of two to three inches per hour were common with the stronger ...
Flood — Jun 15, 2015
The edge of strong high pressure was situated over northwestern Ohio as a series of disturbances moved into the region. In addition, the remnants of a tropical system added to already abundant moisture to set the stage for isolated severe storms and several rounds of torrential rainfall for parts of northwestern Ohio. Rainfall rates of two to three inches per hour were common with the stronger ...
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 Van Wert 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 Van Wert 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.