Photo: Bleak23 · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in New Franklin than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Franklin gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #358 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then hail (15%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2011.
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 New Franklin 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
Hail
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 New Franklin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Franklin, and New Franklin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 15%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A #358 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Franklin’s residents live in 4 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, New Franklin has less expected damage per building than 64% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across New Franklin: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Franklin flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Franklin, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms1 claim · $38
New Franklin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Summit County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to New Franklin
Disasters that paid out in New Franklin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of New Franklin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$19K to the City of New Franklin for repairs
Summit County has had 10 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 New Franklin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Franklin archive →New Franklin and its neighbors
New Franklin is 6th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coventry Township | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Norton | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| Green | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Chippewa Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Barberton | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 159 |
| New Franklin | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Lawrence Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 65 |
| Clinton | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
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 New Franklin 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.
- 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.
- 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 New Franklin
Is New Franklin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Franklin has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #358 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and hail (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New Franklin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in New Franklin since 2011, $26K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late winter storms (1).
Is New Franklin 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 Summit County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New Franklin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Franklin’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 New Franklin?
By FEMA money that reached New Franklin, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $19K to the City of New Franklin for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 1 paid, $38.
Is New Franklin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and New Franklin’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Franklin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Franklin’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.