Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Cleveland than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cleveland gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #21 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2020.
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.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
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
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cleveland, and Cleveland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A #21 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Cleveland’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Georgia town has lower expected damage than 72% of U.S. towns; within the state, Cleveland has less expected damage per building than 92% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Cleveland: $543K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cleveland flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2020
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cleveland, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
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: White County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cleveland
Disasters that paid out in Cleveland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cleveland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Zeta$13K to the City of Cleveland for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma$13K to the City of Cleveland for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding13 households applied for aid$145 aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan22 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$9K to the City of Cleveland for repairs
White County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
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 →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.
- 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #21 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and tornadoes (17%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cleveland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Cleveland since 2020, $360K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
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 White County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% 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 Ivan (2004): 22 households applied for aid, $19K approved.
Is Cleveland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Cleveland’s rate for it is lower than 89% 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.