Photo: Public domain · Public domainFEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Cleves as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cleves gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns, #808 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 28 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 Cleves 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 Cleves’ grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cleves, and Cleves’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #808 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cleves’ 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, Cleves has more expected damage per building than 81% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Cleves: $717K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cleves flood? Sometimes: 28 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cleves, from FEMA’s records: 24.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March storm3 claims · $7K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding2 claims · $10K
Cleves 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cleves
Disasters that paid out in Cleves itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Cleves), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides$158K to the Village of Cleves for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$6K to the Village of Cleves for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Snow$5K to the Village of Cleves for repairs2 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 Cleves after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cleves archive →Cleves and its neighbors
Cleves has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleves | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Miami Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Miami Heights | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Whitewater Township | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Grandview | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| North Bend | — | not graded yet | |
| Shawnee | — | 739 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 Cleves 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 Cleves
Is Cleves at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cleves has lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #808 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cleves flood?
Flood insurance has paid 28 claims in Cleves since 1978, $142K in all, or 24.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March storm (3).
Is Cleves 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 Cleves?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cleves’ 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 Cleves?
By FEMA money that reached Cleves, Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides (2018): $158K to the Village of Cleves for repairs. By flood claims, March storm: 3 paid, $7K.
Is Cleves at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Cleves’ rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cleves.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cleves’ 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.