Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Olmsted Falls’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Olmsted Falls gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #487 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Olmsted Falls 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 Olmsted Falls’ grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Olmsted Falls, and Olmsted Falls’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 7% (higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #487 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Olmsted Falls’ 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, Olmsted Falls has less expected damage per building than 51% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Olmsted Falls: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Olmsted Falls flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Olmsted Falls. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Olmsted Falls 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 Olmsted Falls
Disasters that paid out in Olmsted Falls itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Olmsted Falls), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Flooding Due to the Remnants of Hurricane Sandy$30K to the City of Olmsted Falls for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$817 aid approved
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds4 households applied for aid$1K 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 Olmsted Falls after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Olmsted Falls archive →Olmsted Falls and its neighbors
Olmsted Falls 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berea | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Olmsted Township | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Olmsted Falls | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
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 Olmsted Falls 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 Olmsted Falls
Is Olmsted Falls at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Olmsted Falls has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #487 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Olmsted Falls 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 Olmsted Falls?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Olmsted Falls’ 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 Olmsted Falls?
By FEMA money that reached Olmsted Falls, Severe Storms and Flooding Due to the Remnants of Hurricane Sandy (2012): $30K to the City of Olmsted Falls for repairs.
Is Olmsted Falls at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Olmsted Falls’ rate for it is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Olmsted Falls.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Olmsted Falls’ 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.