Photo: w_lemay · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Amherst faces less hazard damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Amherst gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #352 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 6 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 Amherst 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 Amherst’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Amherst, and Amherst’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts).
A #352 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Amherst’s residents live in 5 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, Amherst has less expected damage per building than 65% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Amherst: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Amherst flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Amherst, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms1 claim · $8K
Amherst isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lorain County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Amherst
Disasters that paid out in Amherst itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Amherst), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
Lorain County has had 15 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 Amherst after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Amherst archive →Amherst and its neighbors
Amherst is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lorain | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 62 |
| Amherst | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Brownhelm Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
| Amherst Township | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Amherst 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 Amherst
Is Amherst at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Amherst has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #352 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Amherst flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Amherst since 1978, $22K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late winter storms (1).
Is Amherst 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 Lorain 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 Amherst?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Amherst’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 Amherst?
By FEMA money that reached Amherst, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 7 households applied for aid, $11K approved. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 1 paid, $8K.
Is Amherst at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Amherst’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Amherst.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Amherst’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.