On FEMA’s figures, Mentor-on-the-Lake faces less hazard damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mentor-on-the-Lake gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #409 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2013.
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 Mentor-on-the-Lake 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 Mentor-on-the-Lake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mentor-on-the-Lake, and Mentor-on-the-Lake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #409 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mentor-on-the-Lake’s residents live in 2 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, Mentor-on-the-Lake has less expected damage per building than 59% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $908K a year in losses across Mentor-on-the-Lake: $766K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mentor-on-the-Lake flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mentor-on-the-Lake, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Mentor-on-the-Lake isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lake County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mentor-on-the-Lake
Disasters that paid out in Mentor-on-the-Lake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mentor-on-the-Lake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$10K to the City of Mentor-on-the-Lake for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding77 households applied for aid$143K aid approved$15K to the City of Mentor-on-the-Lake for repairs
Lake County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Mentor-on-the-Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mentor-on-the-Lake archive →Mentor-on-the-Lake and its neighbors
Mentor-on-the-Lake is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mentor | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Mentor-on-the-Lake | A−less damage than 83% | 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 Mentor-on-the-Lake 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 Mentor-on-the-Lake
Is Mentor-on-the-Lake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mentor-on-the-Lake has lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #409 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mentor-on-the-Lake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Mentor-on-the-Lake since 2013, $225K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Mentor-on-the-Lake 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 Lake County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mentor-on-the-Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mentor-on-the-Lake’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 Mentor-on-the-Lake?
By FEMA money that reached Mentor-on-the-Lake, Severe Storms, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding (2006): 77 households applied for aid, $143K approved, and $15K to the City of Mentor-on-the-Lake for repairs.
Is Mentor-on-the-Lake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Mentor-on-the-Lake’s rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mentor-on-the-Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mentor-on-the-Lake’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.