NASA Lewis Research Center-Development Engineering Building & Annex · Photo: Tim Evanson · CC BY-SA 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Fairview Park than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairview Park gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #249 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2005.
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 Fairview Park 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 Fairview Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fairview Park, and Fairview Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts).
A #249 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fairview Park’s residents live in 5 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, Fairview Park has less expected damage per building than 75% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Fairview Park: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fairview Park flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fairview Park, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Fairview Park 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fairview Park
Disasters that paid out in Fairview Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fairview Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Flooding Due to the Remnants of Hurricane Sandy$35K to the City of Fairview Park for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$950 aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds7 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
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 Fairview Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fairview Park archive →Fairview Park and its neighbors
Fairview Park is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakewood | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Rocky River | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| North Olmsted | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Fairview Park | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Westlake | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Cleveland | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 82 |
| Brook Park | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Fairview Park 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 Fairview Park
Is Fairview Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairview Park has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #249 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fairview Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Fairview Park since 2005, $5K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Fairview Park 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 Fairview Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fairview Park’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 Fairview Park?
By FEMA money that reached Fairview Park, Severe Storms and Flooding Due to the Remnants of Hurricane Sandy (2012): $35K to the City of Fairview Park for repairs.
Is Fairview Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Fairview Park’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fairview Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fairview Park’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.