FEMA puts Chesterland’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chesterland gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #176 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1986.
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 Chesterland 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 Chesterland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chesterland, and Chesterland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
A #176 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chesterland’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, Chesterland has less expected damage per building than 82% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Chesterland: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chesterland flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chesterland, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms1 claim · $15K
Chesterland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Geauga County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chesterland
Disasters that paid out in Chesterland itself (aid to households or repair grants to Chesterland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Geauga 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 Chesterland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chesterland archive →Chesterland and its neighbors
Chesterland has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chesterland | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Chester Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Russell Township | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Gates Mills | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
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 Chesterland 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 Chesterland
Is Chesterland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chesterland has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #176 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chesterland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Chesterland since 1986, $272K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late winter storms (1).
Is Chesterland 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 Geauga County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Chesterland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chesterland’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 Chesterland?
By FEMA money that reached Chesterland, Severe Storms, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding (2006): 15 households applied for aid, $19K approved. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 1 paid, $15K.
Is Chesterland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Chesterland’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chesterland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chesterland’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.