Photo: Bennett-ne · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Bedford than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bedford gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #88 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1979.
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 Bedford 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’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bedford, and Bedford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #88 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bedford’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, Bedford has less expected damage per building than 91% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Bedford: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bedford flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bedford, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bedford 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bedford
Disasters that paid out in Bedford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bedford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Flooding Due to the Remnants of Hurricane Sandy$20K to the City of Bedford for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding222 households applied for aid$252K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding72 households applied for aid$27K aid approved$45K to the City of Bedford for repairs
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds426 households applied for aid$303K 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 Bedford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bedford archive →Bedford and its neighbors
Bedford is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walton Hills | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| 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 |
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 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
Is Bedford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bedford has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #88 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bedford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Bedford since 1979, $56K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Bedford 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?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bedford’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 Bedford?
By FEMA money that reached Bedford, Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds (2003): 426 households applied for aid, $303K approved.
Is Bedford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Bedford’s rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bedford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bedford’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.