Photo: Legomine · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Bellaire’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bellaire gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #984 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 50 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 Bellaire’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bellaire 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
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 Bellaire’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bellaire, and Bellaire’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D #984 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bellaire’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, Bellaire has more expected damage per building than 99% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Bellaire: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bellaire flood? Sometimes: 50 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bellaire, from FEMA’s records: 22.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan17 claims · $273K
Bellaire isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Belmont County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bellaire
Disasters that paid out in Bellaire itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Bellaire), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides$777K to the Village of Bellaire for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides48 households applied for aid$61K aid approved$12K to the Village of Bellaire for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding256 households applied for aid$823K aid approved$87K to the Village of Bellaire for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides16 households applied for aid$23K aid approved$8K to the Village of Bellaire for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$9K to the Village of Bellaire for repairs
Belmont County has had 18 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 Bellaire after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bellaire archive →Bellaire and its neighbors
Bellaire 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pultney Township | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 99 |
| Bellaire | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| McMechen | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
| Wheeling | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 2,656 |
| Benwood | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 70 |
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 Bellaire 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.
- 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 Bellaire
Is Bellaire at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bellaire has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #984 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bellaire flood?
Flood insurance has paid 50 claims in Bellaire since 1978, $451K in all, or 22.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (17).
Is Bellaire 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 Belmont County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bellaire?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bellaire’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 Bellaire?
By FEMA money that reached Bellaire, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 256 households applied for aid, $823K approved, and $87K to the Village of Bellaire for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 17 paid, $273K.
Is Bellaire at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Bellaire’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bellaire.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bellaire’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.