Photo: 636Buster · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in East Liverpool than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Liverpool gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #651 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1996.
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 East Liverpool 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
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 East Liverpool’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Liverpool, and East Liverpool’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #651 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East Liverpool’s residents live in 6 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, East Liverpool has more expected damage per building than 66% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across East Liverpool: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Liverpool flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Liverpool, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan2 claims · $34K
East Liverpool isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Columbiana County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to East Liverpool
Disasters that paid out in East Liverpool itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of East Liverpool), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslide$17K to the City of East Liverpool for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides$174K to the City of East Liverpool for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding70 households applied for aid$134K aid approved$87K to the City of East Liverpool for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$2K to the City of East Liverpool for repairs
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds88 households applied for aid$126K aid approved$64K to the City of East Liverpool for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
Columbiana 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 East Liverpool after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Liverpool archive →East Liverpool and its neighbors
East Liverpool is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| East Liverpool | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Newell | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| La Croft | — | 915 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 East Liverpool 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.
- 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 East Liverpool
Is East Liverpool at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Liverpool has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #651 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does East Liverpool flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in East Liverpool since 1996, $35K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (2).
Is East Liverpool 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 Columbiana County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in East Liverpool?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Liverpool’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 East Liverpool?
By FEMA money that reached East Liverpool, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 70 households applied for aid, $134K approved, and $87K to the City of East Liverpool for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 2 paid, $34K.
Is East Liverpool at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and East Liverpool’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Liverpool.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Liverpool’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.