Photo: JonRidinger · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Kirtland than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kirtland gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #435 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1989.
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 Kirtland 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 Kirtland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kirtland, and Kirtland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #435 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kirtland’s 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, Kirtland has less expected damage per building than 56% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Kirtland: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kirtland flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kirtland, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Kirtland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lake County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kirtland
Disasters that paid out in Kirtland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kirtland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$33K to the City of Kirtland for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding24 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$71K to the City of Kirtland for repairs
Lake County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Kirtland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kirtland archive →Kirtland and its neighbors
Kirtland 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chester Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Mentor | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Willoughby | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| Kirtland | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Willoughby Hills | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 102 |
| Waite Hill | — | 600 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Kirtland Hills | — | 639 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Chardon Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Kirtland 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 Kirtland
Is Kirtland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kirtland has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #435 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and tornadoes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kirtland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Kirtland since 1989, $4K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Kirtland 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 Lake County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kirtland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kirtland’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 Kirtland?
By FEMA money that reached Kirtland, Severe Storms, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding (2006): 24 households applied for aid, $22K approved, and $71K to the City of Kirtland for repairs.
Is Kirtland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Kirtland’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kirtland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kirtland’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.