Powell, OH: what USGS's seismic model says

USGS's ASCE 7-16 seismic design model - the same standard building codes use - places Powell in Seismic Design Category B: Low seismic hazard. Code requires basic seismic detailing (bracing, connections) but no special structural system restrictions. That puts Powell in the 38th percentile nationally for seismic hazard - higher than 38% of the 4,875 US cities USGS was checked against here.

Powell by the numbers

USGS's underlying values for Powell: 0.061g peak ground acceleration, 0.121g at short period, 0.059g at 1 second. Within Ohio alone, Powell ranks 193 of 254 cities by seismic hazard - the 24th percentile in-state. Powell has a population of about 14,613.

Retrofit economics for Powell

A full earthquake retrofit typically runs $5,000-$10,000 nationally (around $7,000 typical), driven mainly by house size and foundation type, not by Ohio specifically. California's Earthquake Brace + Bolt grant, which covers a large share of this cost, is a California-only program and does not apply in Ohio.

What this means for insurance

A Powell homeowner cannot buy a standalone earthquake policy in most cases - it is added to an existing homeowners policy as an endorsement, so the place to start is a regular home-insurance quote.

Where Powell's figures come from

Powell's Category B and every number above trace to USGS's own ASCE 7-16 Design Maps service - see the methodology guide. See the category explainer for what Category B does and doesn't tell you about Powell.