Photo: The original uploader was Willjay at English Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Cambridge faces less hazard damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cambridge gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #442 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 125 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 Cambridge’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cambridge 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 Cambridge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cambridge, and Cambridge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #442 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cambridge’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, Cambridge has less expected damage per building than 56% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Cambridge: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cambridge flood? Yes: 125 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cambridge, from FEMA’s records: 23.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $1K
Cambridge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Guernsey County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cambridge
Disasters that paid out in Cambridge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cambridge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$11K to the City of Cambridge for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$112K to the City of Cambridge for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$106K to the City of Cambridge for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$22K to the City of Cambridge for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides30 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding236 households applied for aid$542K aid approved$39K to the City of Cambridge for repairs
Show all 8
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding28 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$12K to the City of Cambridge for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$14K to the City of Cambridge for repairs
Guernsey County has had 13 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 Cambridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cambridge archive →Cambridge and its neighbors
Cambridge is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 74 |
| Cambridge Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 126 |
| Cambridge | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 125 |
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 Cambridge 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 Cambridge
Is Cambridge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cambridge has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #442 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cambridge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 125 claims in Cambridge since 1978, $2.8M in all, or 23.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 16 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (1).
Is Cambridge 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 Guernsey County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cambridge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cambridge’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 Cambridge?
By FEMA money that reached Cambridge, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 236 households applied for aid, $542K approved, and $39K to the City of Cambridge for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Cambridge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Cambridge’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cambridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cambridge’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.