St. Louis Church · Photo: Roseohioresident · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Louisville than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Louisville gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #356 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then hail (10%). Flood insurance has paid 38 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 Louisville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Louisville 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 Louisville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Louisville, and Louisville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hail at 10% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
A #356 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Louisville’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, Louisville has less expected damage per building than 64% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Louisville: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Louisville flood? Sometimes: 38 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Louisville, from FEMA’s records: 8.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms7 claims · $726K
Louisville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Stark County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Louisville
Disasters that paid out in Louisville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Louisville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$75 aid approved
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$4K to the City of Louisville for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$317 aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding18 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds263 households applied for aid$434K aid approved$209K to the City of Louisville for repairs14 flood claims paid that year
Stark County has had 9 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 Louisville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Louisville archive →Get ready for what Louisville 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 Louisville
Is Louisville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Louisville has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #356 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hail (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Louisville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 38 claims in Louisville since 1979, $2.6M in all, or 8.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (7).
Is Louisville 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 Stark County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Louisville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Louisville’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 Louisville?
By FEMA money that reached Louisville, Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds (2003): 263 households applied for aid, $434K approved, and $209K to the City of Louisville for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 7 paid, $726K.
Is Louisville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Louisville’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Louisville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Louisville’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.