Photo: SilentMatt Psychedelic · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Fairlawn than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairlawn gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #72 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then hail (19%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1980.
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 Fairlawn 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 Fairlawn’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fairlawn, and Fairlawn’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 19%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #72 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fairlawn’s residents live in 4 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, Fairlawn has less expected damage per building than 93% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Fairlawn: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fairlawn flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fairlawn, from FEMA’s records: 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Fairlawn 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 Fairlawn
Disasters that paid out in Fairlawn itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fairlawn), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$23K to the City of Fairlawn for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding16 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds63 households applied for aid$104K aid approved$6K to the City of Fairlawn 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 Fairlawn after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fairlawn archive →Fairlawn and its neighbors
Fairlawn 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairlawn | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Bath Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Copley Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Montrose-Ghent | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Akron | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 131 |
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 Fairlawn 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 Fairlawn
Is Fairlawn at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairlawn has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #72 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and hail (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fairlawn flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Fairlawn since 1980, $106K in all, or 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Fairlawn 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 Fairlawn?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fairlawn’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 Fairlawn?
By FEMA money that reached Fairlawn, Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds (2003): 63 households applied for aid, $104K approved, and $6K to the City of Fairlawn for repairs.
Is Fairlawn at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Fairlawn’s rate for it is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fairlawn.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fairlawn’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.