Photo: Arnold H Berger · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Bedford Heights than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bedford Heights gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #30 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 34 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 Bedford Heights’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bedford Heights 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 Bedford Heights’ grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bedford Heights, and Bedford Heights’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #30 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bedford Heights’ residents live in 3 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, Bedford Heights has less expected damage per building than 97% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Bedford Heights: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bedford Heights flood? Sometimes: 34 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bedford Heights, from FEMA’s records: 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms1 claim · $24K
Bedford Heights 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 Bedford Heights
Disasters that paid out in Bedford Heights itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bedford Heights), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding49 households applied for aid$60K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding78 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds124 households applied for aid$99K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
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 Bedford Heights after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bedford Heights archive →Bedford Heights and its neighbors
Bedford Heights is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakwood | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Bedford Heights | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Bedford | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Maple Heights | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Solon | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
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 Bedford Heights 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 Bedford Heights
Is Bedford Heights at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bedford Heights has lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #30 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bedford Heights flood?
Flood insurance has paid 34 claims in Bedford Heights since 1978, $889K in all, or 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (1).
Is Bedford Heights 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 Bedford Heights?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bedford Heights’ 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 Bedford Heights?
By FEMA money that reached Bedford Heights, Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds (2003): 124 households applied for aid, $99K approved. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 1 paid, $24K.
Is Bedford Heights at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Bedford Heights’ rate for it is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bedford Heights.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bedford Heights’ 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.