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–Not graded
Natural hazards in Berlin Heights · FEMA

Storms, floods and disasters in Berlin Heights

Berlin Heights isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to Berlin Heights yet.

Flood claims
0
paid since 1978 · $0
Disasters paid out here
1
of 10 declared for Erie County
By hazard

What Berlin 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

79%of expected building damage
About average · higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 2 times a year in the area

Tornadoes

9%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts
Smaller shares here
 Hail Strong wind Ice storms Earthquakes Winter storms Hurricanes Lightning Wildfire Coastal flooding Cold waves Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
AvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Flood insurance claims

Does Berlin Heights flood? No paid flood claims on record

FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Berlin Heights. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.

of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Berlin 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: Erie County.
Disasters

1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Berlin Heights

Disasters that paid out in Berlin Heights itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Berlin Heights), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in Berlin HeightsErie County only

Erie County has had 10 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.

Were you here?

Old photos of Berlin Heights after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Berlin Heights archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what Berlin 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.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Tornado warnings
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Berlin Heights

Is Berlin 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 Erie County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in Berlin Heights?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Berlin 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 Berlin Heights?

By FEMA money that reached Berlin Heights, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding (2006): 5 households applied for aid, $10K approved.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Berlin Heights.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Berlin 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.