Photo: Erik Drost · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Cleveland’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cleveland gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #611 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 82 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 Cleveland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cleveland 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 Cleveland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cleveland, and Cleveland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #611 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cleveland’s residents live in 157 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, Cleveland has more expected damage per building than 61% of Ohio towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Cleveland has lower expected damage per building than 81% (#75 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $86.9M, is the 137th largest of those 400.
Does Cleveland flood? Sometimes: 82 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cleveland, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms4 claims · $235K
Cleveland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cuyahoga County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cleveland
Disasters that paid out in Cleveland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cleveland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Flooding Due to the Remnants of Hurricane Sandy$7.3M to the City of Cleveland for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding3,240 households applied for aid$936K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$84K to the City of Cleveland for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding23,091 households applied for aid$9.4M aid approved$126K to the City of Cleveland for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds38,325 households applied for aid$35.9M aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Cuyahoga County has had 15 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 Cleveland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cleveland archive →Cleveland and its neighbors
Cleveland is 8th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakewood | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Euclid | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Fairview Park | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Bratenahl | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Cleveland Heights | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| East Cleveland | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Brooklyn | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Cleveland | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 82 |
| Shaker Heights | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Brook Park | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Cuyahoga Heights | — | 581 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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland
Is Cleveland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cleveland has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #611 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cleveland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 82 claims in Cleveland since 1978, $2.1M in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (4).
Is Cleveland 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 Cuyahoga County, 38% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cleveland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cleveland’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 Cleveland?
By FEMA money that reached Cleveland, Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds (2003): 38,325 households applied for aid, $35.9M approved. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 4 paid, $235K.
Is Cleveland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Cleveland’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cleveland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cleveland’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.