Photo: EEJCC · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Cincinnati than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cincinnati 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 (72%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 723 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 Cincinnati’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cincinnati, and Cincinnati’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #503 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cincinnati’s residents live in 118 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, Cincinnati has more expected damage per building than 51% of Ohio towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Cincinnati has lower expected damage per building than 88% (#50 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $77.6M, is the 153th largest of those 400.
Does Cincinnati flood? Yes: 723 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cincinnati, from FEMA’s records: 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding49 claims · $3.5M
- The March storm1 claim · $1K
Cincinnati isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hamilton County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cincinnati
Disasters that paid out in Cincinnati itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cincinnati), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides$595K to the City of Cincinnati for repairs58 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$1.6M to the City of Cincinnati for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$3.4M to the City of Cincinnati for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$286K to the City of Cincinnati for repairs20 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Snow$357K to the City of Cincinnati for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Severe Storms and Flooding$731K to the City of Cincinnati for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
Hamilton County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Cincinnati after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cincinnati archive →Cincinnati and its neighbors
Cincinnati is 7th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Delhi Hills | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Monfort Heights | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Springfield Township | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Anderson Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
| Finneytown | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Cincinnati | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 723 |
| Green Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Columbia Township | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Miami Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Addyston | — | 904 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 Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati
Is Cincinnati at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cincinnati 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 (72%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cincinnati flood?
Flood insurance has paid 723 claims in Cincinnati since 1978, $21.8M in all, or 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 81 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (49).
Is Cincinnati 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 Hamilton County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cincinnati?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cincinnati’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 Cincinnati?
By FEMA money that reached Cincinnati, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $3.4M to the City of Cincinnati for repairs. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 49 paid, $3.5M.
Is Cincinnati at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Cincinnati’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cincinnati.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cincinnati’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.