Photo: Jack Pearce · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA puts Canfield’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Canfield gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #133 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 2009.
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 Canfield 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 Canfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Canfield, and Canfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts).
A #133 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Canfield’s residents live in 2 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, Canfield has less expected damage per building than 87% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Canfield: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Canfield flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Canfield, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Canfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mahoning County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Canfield
Disasters that paid out in Canfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Canfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslide190 households applied for aid$317K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding40 households applied for aid$60K aid approved
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds184 households applied for aid$288K aid approved$6K to the City of Canfield for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding21 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
Mahoning 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 Canfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Canfield archive →Get ready for what Canfield 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 Canfield
Is Canfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Canfield has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #133 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Canfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Canfield since 2009, $257K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Canfield 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 Mahoning County, 44% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Canfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Canfield’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 Canfield?
By FEMA money that reached Canfield, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslide (2019): 190 households applied for aid, $317K approved.
Is Canfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Canfield’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Canfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Canfield’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.