Photo: mil199 · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Mayfield Heights than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mayfield Heights gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #15 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1980.
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 Mayfield Heights 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 Mayfield Heights’ grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mayfield Heights, and Mayfield Heights’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #15 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mayfield Heights’ residents live in 6 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, Mayfield Heights has less expected damage per building than 99% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Mayfield Heights: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mayfield Heights flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mayfield Heights, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $4K
Mayfield Heights 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mayfield Heights
Disasters that paid out in Mayfield Heights itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mayfield Heights), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Flooding Due to the Remnants of Hurricane Sandy$9K to the City of Mayfield Heights for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds7 households applied for aid$6K 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 Mayfield Heights after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mayfield Heights archive →Mayfield Heights and its neighbors
Mayfield Heights is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayfield | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Mayfield Heights | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Lyndhurst | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Gates Mills | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
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 Mayfield Heights 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 Mayfield Heights
Is Mayfield Heights at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mayfield Heights has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #15 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mayfield Heights flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Mayfield Heights since 1980, $28K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (1).
Is Mayfield Heights 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 Mayfield Heights?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mayfield Heights’ 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 Mayfield Heights?
By FEMA money that reached Mayfield Heights, Severe Storms and Flooding Due to the Remnants of Hurricane Sandy (2012): $9K to the City of Mayfield Heights for repairs. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Mayfield Heights at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Mayfield Heights’ rate for it is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mayfield Heights.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mayfield Heights’ 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.