Photo: Catsmeowmeow · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Lakewood faces less hazard damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lakewood gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #24 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 37 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 stands out about Lakewood’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lakewood 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 Lakewood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lakewood, and Lakewood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #24 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lakewood’s residents live in 18 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, Lakewood has less expected damage per building than 98% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.2M a year in losses across Lakewood: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lakewood flood? Sometimes: 37 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lakewood, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Lakewood 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 Lakewood
Disasters that paid out in Lakewood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lakewood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Flooding Due to the Remnants of Hurricane Sandy$223K to the City of Lakewood for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding22 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding70 households applied for aid$41K aid approved$4K to the City of Lakewood for repairs
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds129 households applied for aid$124K 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 Lakewood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lakewood archive →Lakewood and its neighbors
Lakewood has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. 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 |
| Fairview Park | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Cleveland | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 82 |
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 Lakewood 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 Lakewood
Is Lakewood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lakewood has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #24 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lakewood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 37 claims in Lakewood since 1979, $695K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Lakewood 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 Lakewood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lakewood’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 Lakewood?
By FEMA money that reached Lakewood, Severe Storms and Flooding Due to the Remnants of Hurricane Sandy (2012): $223K to the City of Lakewood for repairs.
Is Lakewood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Lakewood’s rate for it is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lakewood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lakewood’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.