Look About Lodge · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Hudson than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hudson gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #224 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then hail (15%). Flood insurance has paid 28 claims here since 1983.
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 Hudson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hudson 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 Hudson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hudson, and Hudson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hail at 15% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
A #224 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hudson’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, Hudson has less expected damage per building than 78% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.6M a year in losses across Hudson: $5.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hudson flood? Sometimes: 28 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hudson, from FEMA’s records: 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hudson 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 Hudson
Disasters that paid out in Hudson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hudson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$40K to the City of Hudson for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding18 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$52K to the City of Hudson for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds647 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$327K to the City of Hudson for repairs12 flood claims 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 Hudson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hudson archive →Hudson and its neighbors
Hudson is 6th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streetsboro | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Macedonia | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Twinsburg Township | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Boston Heights | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Boston Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Hudson | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Stow | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
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 Hudson 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 Hudson
Is Hudson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hudson has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #224 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hail (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hudson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 28 claims in Hudson since 1983, $548K in all, or 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Hudson 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 Hudson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hudson’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 Hudson?
By FEMA money that reached Hudson, Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds (2003): 647 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved, and $327K to the City of Hudson for repairs.
Is Hudson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Hudson’s rate for it is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hudson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hudson’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.