Photo: 636Buster · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, McDonald faces less hazard damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McDonald gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #286 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2004.
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 McDonald 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
Hail
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 McDonald’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in McDonald, and McDonald’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts).
A #286 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of McDonald’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Ohio town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, McDonald has less expected damage per building than 71% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $592K a year in losses across McDonald: $463K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does McDonald flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in McDonald, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
McDonald isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Trumbull County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to McDonald
Disasters that paid out in McDonald itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of McDonald), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds$53K to the Village of McDonald for repairs
Trumbull County has had 8 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 McDonald after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the McDonald archive →McDonald and its neighbors
McDonald has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| McDonald | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Girard | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| McKinley Heights | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Weathersfield Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Niles | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Hilltop | — | 640 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 McDonald 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.
- 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.
- 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 McDonald
Is McDonald at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McDonald has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #286 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (8%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does McDonald flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in McDonald since 2004, $3K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is McDonald 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 Trumbull County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in McDonald?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for McDonald’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 McDonald?
By FEMA money that reached McDonald, Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds (2003): $53K to the Village of McDonald for repairs.
Is McDonald at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and McDonald’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in McDonald.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where McDonald’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.