Photo: Nyttend · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Amberley than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Amberley gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #442 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 17 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 Amberley 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
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 Amberley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Amberley, and Amberley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 18% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #442 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Amberley’s residents live in 2 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, Amberley has less expected damage per building than 56% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Amberley: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Amberley flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Amberley, from FEMA’s records: 12.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Amberley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hamilton County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Amberley
Disasters that paid out in Amberley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Amberley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$107K to the Village of Amberley for repairs
- 2004Snow$14K to the Village of Amberley for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to the Village of Amberley for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Hamilton County has had 16 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 Amberley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Amberley archive →Amberley and its neighbors
Amberley is 3rd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sycamore Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Golf Manor | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Amberley | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Cincinnati | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 723 |
| Dillonvale | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Columbia Township | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Reading | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Ridgewood | — | 380 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 Amberley 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.
- 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 Amberley
Is Amberley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Amberley has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #442 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Amberley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Amberley since 1978, $94K in all, or 12.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Amberley 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 Hamilton County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Amberley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Amberley’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 Amberley?
By FEMA money that reached Amberley, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $107K to the Village of Amberley for repairs.
Is Amberley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Amberley’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Amberley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Amberley’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.