Photo: LeeG7144 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Middlefield than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Middlefield gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #1 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1981.
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 Middlefield 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
Strong wind
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 Middlefield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Middlefield, and Middlefield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #1 of 993 in Ohio; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Middlefield’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, Middlefield has less expected damage per building than 100% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $490K a year in losses across Middlefield: $398K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Middlefield flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Middlefield, from FEMA’s records: 5.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Middlefield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Geauga County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Middlefield
Disasters that paid out in Middlefield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Middlefield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$8K to the Village of Middlefield for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Geauga 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 Middlefield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Middlefield archive →Middlefield and its neighbors
Middlefield has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middlefield | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Burton Township | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Middlefield Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Middlefield 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Middlefield
Is Middlefield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Middlefield has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #1 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Middlefield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Middlefield since 1981, $604K in all, or 5.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Middlefield 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 Geauga County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Middlefield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Middlefield’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 Middlefield?
By FEMA money that reached Middlefield, Record Snow and Near Record Snow (2008): $8K to the Village of Middlefield for repairs.
Is Middlefield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Middlefield’s rate for it is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Middlefield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Middlefield’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.