Photo: User:OHWiki · CC BY-SA 2.5On FEMA’s figures, Bellevue faces less hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bellevue gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #472 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 28 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 Bellevue’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bellevue 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
Hail
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 Bellevue’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bellevue, and Bellevue’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #472 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bellevue’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, Bellevue has less expected damage per building than 53% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Bellevue: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bellevue flood? Sometimes: 28 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bellevue, from FEMA’s records: 8.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March storm4 claims · $32K
- Tropical Storm Erin1 claim · $179K
Bellevue isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sandusky County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bellevue
Disasters that paid out in Bellevue itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bellevue), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$4K to the City of Bellevue for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes7 households applied for aid$14K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding121 households applied for aid$130K aid approved9 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Snow$13K to the City of Bellevue for repairs
Its 2 counties have had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Bellevue after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bellevue archive →Bellevue and its neighbors
Bellevue has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| York Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Groton Township | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lyme Township | — | 797 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 Bellevue 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Bellevue
Is Bellevue at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bellevue has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #472 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bellevue flood?
Flood insurance has paid 28 claims in Bellevue since 1978, $316K in all, or 8.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March storm (4).
Is Bellevue 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 Sandusky County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bellevue?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bellevue’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 Bellevue?
By FEMA money that reached Bellevue, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding (2006): 121 households applied for aid, $130K approved. By flood claims, March storm: 4 paid, $32K.
Is Bellevue at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Bellevue’s rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bellevue.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bellevue’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.