Photo: Brandon Bisel · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Akron than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Akron gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #403 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then hail (15%). Flood insurance has paid 131 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Akron’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Akron 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
Hail
Tornadoes
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 Akron’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Akron, and Akron’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 15%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #403 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Akron’s residents live in 69 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Ohio town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Akron has less expected damage per building than 59% of Ohio towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Akron has lower expected damage per building than 92% (#31 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $33.2M, is the 337th largest of those 400.
Does Akron flood? Yes: 131 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Akron, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March storm2 claims · $4K
- Tropical Storm Erin1 claim · $2K
Akron isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Summit County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Akron
Disasters that paid out in Akron itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Akron), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$602K to the City of Akron for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding2,126 households applied for aid$934K aid approved$258K to the City of Akron for repairs15 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds1,982 households applied for aid$2.2M aid approved$341K to the City of Akron for repairs
Summit County has had 10 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Akron after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Akron archive →Akron and its neighbors
Akron is 10th of the 11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairlawn | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Coventry Township | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Portage Lakes | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Springfield Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Bath Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Copley Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Montrose-Ghent | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Sawyerwood | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Barberton | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 159 |
| Akron | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 131 |
| Cuyahoga Falls | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
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 Akron 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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.
- 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 Akron
Is Akron at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Akron has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #403 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and hail (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Akron flood?
Flood insurance has paid 131 claims in Akron since 1978, $2.0M in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 22 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March storm (2).
Is Akron 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 Summit County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Akron?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Akron’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 Akron?
By FEMA money that reached Akron, Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds (2003): 1,982 households applied for aid, $2.2M approved, and $341K to the City of Akron for repairs. By flood claims, March storm: 2 paid, $4K.
Is Akron at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Akron’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Akron.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Akron’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.