Photo: The original uploader was Rdikeman at English Wikipedia. · Public domainFEMA puts North College Hill’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North College Hill gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #468 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then tornadoes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 12 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 North College Hill 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
Earthquakes
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 North College Hill’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in North College Hill, and North College Hill’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 24%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #468 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North College Hill’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, North College Hill has less expected damage per building than 53% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across North College Hill: $988K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North College Hill flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North College Hill, from FEMA’s records: 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
North College Hill isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hamilton County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North College Hill
Disasters that paid out in North College Hill itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of North College Hill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$47K to the City of North College Hill for repairs
- 2004Snow$11K to the City of North College Hill for repairs
Hamilton County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of North College Hill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North College Hill archive →North College Hill and its neighbors
North College Hill is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Healthy | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Springfield Township | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| North College Hill | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Finneytown | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Cincinnati | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 723 |
| Colerain Township | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| White Oak | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| Skyline Acres | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 North College Hill 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 North College Hill
Is North College Hill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North College Hill has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #468 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and tornadoes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North College Hill flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in North College Hill since 1981, $59K in all, or 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once.
Is North College Hill 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 Hamilton County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North College Hill?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North College Hill’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 North College Hill?
By FEMA money that reached North College Hill, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $47K to the City of North College Hill for repairs.
Is North College Hill at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and North College Hill’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North College Hill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North College Hill’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.