Phillip Henninger House · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Parma faces less hazard damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Parma gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #527 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 28 claims here since 1978.
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 Parma’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Parma 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 Parma’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Parma, and Parma’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #527 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Parma’s residents live in 22 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 has more expected damage per building than 53% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.8M a year in losses across Parma: $11.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Parma flood? Sometimes: 28 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Parma, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Parma 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Parma
Disasters that paid out in Parma itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Parma), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Flooding Due to the Remnants of Hurricane Sandy$79K to the City of Parma for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding75 households applied for aid$89K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding47 households applied for aid$31K aid approved$78K to the City of Parma for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds29 households applied for aid$17K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Parma archive →Parma and its neighbors
Parma is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seven Hills | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| North Royalton | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
| Parma | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Brook Park | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| 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 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 Parma
Is Parma at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Parma has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #527 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Parma flood?
Flood insurance has paid 28 claims in Parma since 1978, $498K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Parma 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?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Parma’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 Parma?
By FEMA money that reached Parma, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 47 households applied for aid, $31K approved, and $78K to the City of Parma for repairs.
Is Parma at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Parma’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Parma.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Parma’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.