Photo: aeroplanepics0112 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Highland Heights’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Highland Heights gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #87 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 stands out about Highland Heights’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Highland Heights 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 Highland Heights’ grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Highland Heights, and Highland Heights’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #87 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Highland Heights’ residents live in 2 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, Highland Heights has less expected damage per building than 91% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Highland Heights: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Highland Heights flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Highland Heights, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Highland Heights 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Highland Heights
Disasters that paid out in Highland Heights itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Highland Heights), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Flooding Due to the Remnants of Hurricane Sandy$21K to the City of Highland Heights for repairs
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds3 households applied for aid$926 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 Highland Heights after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Highland Heights archive →Highland Heights and its neighbors
Highland Heights is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayfield | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Richmond Heights | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Lyndhurst | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Highland Heights | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Willoughby Hills | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 102 |
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 Highland Heights 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 Highland Heights
Is Highland Heights at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Highland Heights has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #87 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Highland Heights flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Highland Heights since 1980, $1K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Highland Heights 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 Highland Heights?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Highland Heights’ 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 Highland Heights?
By FEMA money that reached Highland Heights, Severe Storms and Flooding Due to the Remnants of Hurricane Sandy (2012): $21K to the City of Highland Heights for repairs.
Is Highland Heights at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Highland Heights’ rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Highland Heights.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Highland Heights’ 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.