Photo: Ameike · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in North Olmsted than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Olmsted gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #222 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 44 claims here since 2004.
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 North Olmsted’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North Olmsted 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 North Olmsted’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Olmsted, and North Olmsted’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts).
A #222 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Olmsted’s residents live in 10 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 Olmsted has less expected damage per building than 78% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.5M a year in losses across North Olmsted: $4.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Olmsted flood? Sometimes: 44 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Olmsted, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms13 claims · $52K
North Olmsted isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cuyahoga County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Olmsted
Disasters that paid out in North Olmsted itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of North Olmsted), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Flooding Due to the Remnants of Hurricane Sandy$129K to the City of North Olmsted for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$5K to the City of North Olmsted for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds17 households applied for aid$24K aid approved
Cuyahoga County has had 15 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 Olmsted after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Olmsted archive →North Olmsted and its neighbors
North Olmsted has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Olmsted | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Fairview Park | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Westlake | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| North Ridgeville | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 99 |
| Olmsted Township | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Brook Park | C+more damage than 62% | 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 Olmsted 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 North Olmsted
Is North Olmsted at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Olmsted has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #222 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Olmsted flood?
Flood insurance has paid 44 claims in North Olmsted since 2004, $233K in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (13).
Is North Olmsted 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 Cuyahoga County, 38% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Olmsted?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Olmsted’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 Olmsted?
By FEMA money that reached North Olmsted, Severe Storms and Flooding Due to the Remnants of Hurricane Sandy (2012): $129K to the City of North Olmsted for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 13 paid, $52K.
Is North Olmsted at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and North Olmsted’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Olmsted.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Olmsted’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.