Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Parma Heights’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Parma Heights gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #939 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1983.
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 Parma Heights 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
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 Parma Heights’ grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Parma Heights, and Parma Heights’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #939 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Parma Heights’ residents live in 6 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, Parma Heights has more expected damage per building than 95% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.1M a year in losses across Parma Heights: $4.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Parma Heights flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Parma Heights, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms1 claim · $4K
Parma Heights 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 Parma Heights
Disasters that paid out in Parma Heights itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Parma Heights), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Flooding Due to the Remnants of Hurricane Sandy$56K to the City of Parma Heights for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$14K to the City of Parma Heights for repairs
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds7 households applied for aid$3K 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 Parma Heights after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Parma Heights archive →Parma Heights and its neighbors
Parma Heights is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parma | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Parma Heights | C−more damage than 76% | 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 Parma Heights 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.
- 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 Parma Heights
Is Parma Heights at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Parma Heights has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #939 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Parma Heights flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Parma Heights since 1983, $4K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late winter storms (1).
Is Parma Heights 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 Parma Heights?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Parma Heights’ 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 Parma Heights?
By FEMA money that reached Parma Heights, Severe Storms and Flooding Due to the Remnants of Hurricane Sandy (2012): $56K to the City of Parma Heights for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Parma Heights at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Parma Heights’ rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Parma Heights.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Parma Heights’ 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.