Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainFEMA puts Solon’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Solon gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then hurricanes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1984.
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 Solon 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
Hurricanes
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 Solon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Solon, and Solon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Solon’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $668K a year in losses across Solon: $387K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Solon flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Solon, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Solon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Somerset County.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Solon
Disasters that paid out in Solon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Solon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding12 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$736K to the Town of Solon for repairs
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding$160K to the Town of Solon for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$15K to the Town of Solon for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$18K to the Town of Solon for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$47K to the Town of Solon for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$69K to the Town of Solon for repairs
Show all 14
- 2005Snow$6K to the Town of Solon for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$5K to the Town of Solon for repairs
- 2003Snow$4K to the Town of Solon for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt and Ice Jams$103K to the Town of Solon for repairs
- 2003Snow$3K to the Town of Solon for repairs
- 2001Snow$7K to the Town of Solon for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ice Jams$45K to the Town of Solon for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$7K to the Town of Solon for repairs
Somerset County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Solon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Solon archive →Solon and its neighbors
Solon is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Solon | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Embden | — | 995 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Athens | — | 791 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Bingham | — | 660 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Brighton plantation | — | 98 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 Solon 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.
- 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.
- 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 Solon
Is Solon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Solon has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hurricanes (21%). 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 Solon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Solon since 1984, $683 in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Solon 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 Somerset County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Solon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Solon’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 Solon?
By FEMA money that reached Solon, Severe Storm and Flooding (2023): 12 households applied for aid, $15K approved, and $736K to the Town of Solon for repairs.
Is Solon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Solon’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Solon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Solon’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.