Photo: Roseohioresident · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Canal Fulton’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Canal Fulton gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #324 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 33 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 Canal Fulton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Canal Fulton 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
Hail
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 Canal Fulton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Canal Fulton, and Canal Fulton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hail at 9% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
A #324 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Canal Fulton’s residents live in 3 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, Canal Fulton has less expected damage per building than 67% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $964K a year in losses across Canal Fulton: $780K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Canal Fulton flood? Sometimes: 33 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Canal Fulton, from FEMA’s records: 12.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Canal Fulton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Stark County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Canal Fulton
Disasters that paid out in Canal Fulton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Canal Fulton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides3 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$401 aid approved
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds8 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$32K to the City of Canal Fulton for repairs
Stark County has had 9 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 Canal Fulton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Canal Fulton archive →Get ready for what Canal Fulton 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.
- 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.
- 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 Canal Fulton
Is Canal Fulton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Canal Fulton has lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #324 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hail (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Canal Fulton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 33 claims in Canal Fulton since 1978, $194K in all, or 12.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Canal Fulton 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 Stark County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Canal Fulton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Canal Fulton’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 Canal Fulton?
By FEMA money that reached Canal Fulton, Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds (2003): 8 households applied for aid, $4K approved, and $32K to the City of Canal Fulton for repairs.
Is Canal Fulton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Canal Fulton’s rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Canal Fulton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Canal Fulton’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.