FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Cleveland than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cleveland gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #592 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (73%), then river and rain flooding (19%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Cleveland faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Cleveland’s grade
Hurricanes are 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cleveland, and Cleveland’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 4%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #592 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cleveland’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Cleveland has more expected damage per building than 93% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Cleveland: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cleveland flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Cleveland. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Cleveland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Charlotte County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cleveland
Disasters that paid out in Cleveland itself (aid to households or repair grants to Cleveland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma1 households applied for aid$878 aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne2 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Charlotte County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Charlotte County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Cleveland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cleveland archive →Cleveland and its neighbors
Cleveland has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 0 |
| Solana | — | 948 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Cleveland faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Cleveland
Is Cleveland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cleveland has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #592 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (73%) and river and rain flooding (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Cleveland in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Charlotte County, 58% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 32.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cleveland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cleveland’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Cleveland?
By FEMA money that reached Cleveland, Hurricane Jeanne (2004): 2 households applied for aid, $5K approved.
Is Cleveland at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Cleveland’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cleveland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cleveland’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.