Photo: Jeffreyrstroup · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Cuyahoga Falls than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cuyahoga Falls gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #467 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then hail (14%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1979.
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 Cuyahoga Falls’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cuyahoga Falls 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
Hail
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 Cuyahoga Falls’ grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cuyahoga Falls, and Cuyahoga Falls’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 14%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #467 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cuyahoga Falls’ residents live in 15 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, Cuyahoga Falls has less expected damage per building than 53% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.0M a year in losses across Cuyahoga Falls: $7.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cuyahoga Falls flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cuyahoga Falls, 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.
Cuyahoga Falls isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Summit County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cuyahoga Falls
Disasters that paid out in Cuyahoga Falls itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cuyahoga Falls), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$178K to the City of Cuyahoga Falls for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding73 households applied for aid$48K aid approved$134K to the City of Cuyahoga Falls for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds478 households applied for aid$572K aid approved$149K to the City of Cuyahoga Falls for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Summit County has had 10 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 Cuyahoga Falls after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cuyahoga Falls archive →Cuyahoga Falls and its neighbors
Cuyahoga Falls is 5th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Bath Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Stow | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Akron | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 131 |
| Cuyahoga Falls | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Munroe Falls | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Silver Lake | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Cuyahoga Falls 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.
- 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.
- 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 Cuyahoga Falls
Is Cuyahoga Falls at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cuyahoga Falls has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #467 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and hail (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cuyahoga Falls flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Cuyahoga Falls since 1979, $587K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Cuyahoga Falls 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 Summit County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cuyahoga Falls?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cuyahoga Falls’ 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 Cuyahoga Falls?
By FEMA money that reached Cuyahoga Falls, Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds (2003): 478 households applied for aid, $572K approved, and $149K to the City of Cuyahoga Falls for repairs.
Is Cuyahoga Falls at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Cuyahoga Falls’ rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cuyahoga Falls.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cuyahoga Falls’ 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.