Photo: Upstateherd · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Niles as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Niles gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #750 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 23 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 Niles’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Niles 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 Niles’ grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Niles, and Niles’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts).
B #750 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Niles’ residents live in 8 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, Niles has more expected damage per building than 76% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.6M a year in losses across Niles: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Niles flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Niles, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms2 claims · $6K
Niles isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Trumbull County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Niles
Disasters that paid out in Niles itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Niles), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding28 households applied for aid$37K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds573 households applied for aid$806K aid approved$454K to the City of Niles for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
Trumbull County has had 8 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 Niles after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Niles archive →Niles and its neighbors
Niles is 8th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bolindale | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | — |
| Howland Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Mineral Ridge | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | — |
| McDonald | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Warren | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
| McKinley Heights | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Weathersfield Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Niles | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Hilltop | — | 640 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 Niles 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 Niles
Is Niles at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Niles has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #750 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Niles flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Niles since 1979, $111K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late winter storms (2).
Is Niles 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 Trumbull County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Niles?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Niles’ 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 Niles?
By FEMA money that reached Niles, Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds (2003): 573 households applied for aid, $806K approved, and $454K to the City of Niles for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 2 paid, $6K.
Is Niles at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Niles’ rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Niles.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Niles’ 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.