Photo: Brenda · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Medina than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Medina gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #65 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 17 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 Medina’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Medina 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 Medina’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Medina, and Medina’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 1%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #65 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Medina’s residents live in 11 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, Medina has less expected damage per building than 94% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.3M a year in losses across Medina: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Medina flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Medina, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Medina isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Medina County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Medina
Disasters that paid out in Medina itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Medina), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$32K to the City of Medina for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding37 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds139 households applied for aid$209K aid approved$47K to the City of Medina for repairs
Medina County has had 11 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 Medina after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Medina archive →Medina and its neighbors
Medina 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medina | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| York Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Medina Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Lafayette Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Montville Township | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
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 Medina 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 Medina
Is Medina at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Medina has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #65 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Medina flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Medina since 1979, $54K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Medina 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 Medina County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Medina?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Medina’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 Medina?
By FEMA money that reached Medina, Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds (2003): 139 households applied for aid, $209K approved, and $47K to the City of Medina for repairs.
Is Medina at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Medina’s rate for it is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Medina.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Medina’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.