Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Champion Heights faces less hazard damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Champion Heights gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #76 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2002.
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 Champion 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
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 Champion Heights’ grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Champion Heights, and Champion Heights’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #76 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Champion Heights’ 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, Champion Heights has less expected damage per building than 92% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Champion Heights: $856K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Champion Heights flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2002
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Champion Heights, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms1 claim · $5K
Champion 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: Trumbull County.The storms Champion Heights remembers
None of the 8 disasters declared for Trumbull County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Champion Heights itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20021 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20041 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Trumbull County
- 20111 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Trumbull County has had 8 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 Champion Heights after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Champion Heights archive →Get ready for what Champion 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.
- 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 Champion Heights
Is Champion Heights at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Champion Heights has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #76 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Champion Heights flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Champion Heights since 2002, $27K in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late winter storms (1).
Is Champion 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 Trumbull County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Champion Heights?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Champion 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 Champion Heights?
By flood claims, Late winter storms: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Champion Heights at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Champion Heights’ rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Champion Heights.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Champion 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.