Photo: Erik Drost · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Canton than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Canton gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #503 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 32 claims here since 1979.
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 Canton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Canton 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 Canton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Canton, and Canton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hail at 8% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #503 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Canton’s residents live in 31 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, Canton has more expected damage per building than 51% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.8M a year in losses across Canton: $13.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Canton flood? Sometimes: 32 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Canton, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms2 claims · $25K
Canton 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Canton
Disasters that paid out in Canton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Canton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding52 households applied for aid$15K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides15 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding65 households applied for aid$41K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding230 households applied for aid$148K aid approved
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds926 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$13K to the City of Canton for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
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 Canton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Canton archive →Canton and its neighbors
Canton is 10th of the 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reedurban | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Perry Township | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Jackson Township | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| East Canton | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Nimishillen Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Canton Township | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Osnaburg Township | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Plain Township | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 102 |
| North Canton | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Canton | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| Meyers Lake | — | 842 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 Canton 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 Canton
Is Canton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Canton has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #503 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hail (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Canton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 32 claims in Canton since 1979, $308K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (2).
Is Canton 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 Canton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Canton’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 Canton?
By FEMA money that reached Canton, Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds (2003): 926 households applied for aid, $1.8M approved, and $13K to the City of Canton for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 2 paid, $25K.
Is Canton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Canton’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Canton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Canton’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.