Photo: WeaponizingArchitecture · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Massillon than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Massillon gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #469 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1978.
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 Massillon 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 Massillon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Massillon, and Massillon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hail at 9% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #469 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Massillon’s residents live in 14 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, Massillon has less expected damage per building than 53% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.1M a year in losses across Massillon: $5.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Massillon flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Massillon, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $5K
Massillon 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 Massillon
Disasters that paid out in Massillon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Massillon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$261 aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding21 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds125 households applied for aid$119K aid approved$34K to the City of Massillon for repairs
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 Massillon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Massillon archive →Massillon and its neighbors
Massillon 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perry Heights | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Perry Township | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Jackson Township | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Tuscarawas Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Navarre | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Massillon | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Bethlehem Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Massillon 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 Massillon
Is Massillon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Massillon has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #469 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hail (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Massillon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Massillon since 1978, $139K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (1).
Is Massillon 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 Massillon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Massillon’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 Massillon?
By FEMA money that reached Massillon, Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds (2003): 125 households applied for aid, $119K approved, and $34K to the City of Massillon for repairs. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Massillon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Massillon’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Massillon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Massillon’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.