Photo: Nick22aku · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Beachwood than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beachwood gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #22 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 9 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 Beachwood 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 Beachwood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Beachwood, and Beachwood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #22 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Beachwood’s residents live in 4 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, Beachwood has less expected damage per building than 98% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Beachwood: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Beachwood flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Beachwood, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Beachwood isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cuyahoga County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Beachwood
Disasters that paid out in Beachwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Beachwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding16 households applied for aid$7K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding13 households applied for aid$964 aid approved
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds150 households applied for aid$157K aid approved
Cuyahoga 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 Beachwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Beachwood archive →Beachwood and its neighbors
Beachwood has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beachwood | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Lyndhurst | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Orange | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | — |
| University Heights | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Pepper Pike | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Shaker Heights | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Highland Hills | — | 632 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Woodmere | — | 641 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 Beachwood 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 Beachwood
Is Beachwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beachwood has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #22 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Beachwood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Beachwood since 1978, $29K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Beachwood 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 Cuyahoga County, 38% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Beachwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Beachwood’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 Beachwood?
By FEMA money that reached Beachwood, Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds (2003): 150 households applied for aid, $157K approved.
Is Beachwood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Beachwood’s rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Beachwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Beachwood’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.