Photo: Andre Carrotflower · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Geneva Township than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Geneva Township gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #93 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 15 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 Geneva Township 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
Strong wind
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 Geneva Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Geneva Township, and Geneva Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #93 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Geneva Township’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, Geneva Township has less expected damage per building than 91% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Geneva Township: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Geneva Township flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Geneva Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms2 claims · $11K
Geneva Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ashtabula County.The storms Geneva Township remembers
None of the 11 disasters declared for Ashtabula County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Geneva Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19813 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20113 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19792 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Ashtabula County has had 11 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 Geneva Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Geneva Township archive →Geneva Township and its neighbors
Geneva Township is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Township | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Geneva Township | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Geneva | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Saybrook Township | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Harpersfield Township | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
| Geneva-on-the-Lake | — | 888 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 Geneva Township 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Geneva Township
Is Geneva Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Geneva Township has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #93 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Geneva Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Geneva Township since 1979, $101K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late winter storms (2).
Is Geneva Township 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 Ashtabula 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 Geneva Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Geneva Township’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 Geneva Township?
By flood claims, Late winter storms: 2 paid, $11K.
Is Geneva Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Geneva Township’s rate for it is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Geneva Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Geneva Township’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.