Photo: Roseohioresident · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Minerva than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Minerva gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #892 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2003.
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 Minerva 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
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 Minerva’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Minerva, and Minerva’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #892 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Minerva’s residents live in 3 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, Minerva has more expected damage per building than 90% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Minerva: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Minerva flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Minerva, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Minerva isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Stark County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Minerva
Disasters that paid out in Minerva itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Minerva), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding73 households applied for aid$156K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds44 households applied for aid$66K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Stark 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 Minerva after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Minerva archive →Minerva and its neighbors
Minerva is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Paris Township | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Minerva | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Pekin | — | 369 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 Minerva 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.
- 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 Minerva
Is Minerva at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Minerva has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #892 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Minerva flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Minerva since 2003, $48K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Minerva 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 Stark County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Minerva?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Minerva’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 Minerva?
By FEMA money that reached Minerva, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 73 households applied for aid, $156K approved.
Is Minerva at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Minerva’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Minerva.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Minerva’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.