Photo: Jimrickshaw · Public domainFEMA puts Perry Township’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Perry Township gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #65 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then hail (12%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1980.
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 Perry Township 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
Hail
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 Perry Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Perry Township, and Perry Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hail at 12% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #65 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Perry Township’s residents live in 13 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, Perry Township has less expected damage per building than 94% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across Perry Township: $4.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Perry Township flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Perry Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Perry Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Stark County.The storms Perry Township remembers
None of the 9 disasters declared for Stark County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Perry Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20037 flood claims paidThe year of Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds, declared for Stark County
- 19802 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19812 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Stark County has had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Perry Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Perry Township archive →Perry Township and its neighbors
Perry Township is 3rd of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reedurban | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Perry Heights | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Perry Township | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Jackson Township | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Tuscarawas Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Canton Township | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Massillon | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Bethlehem Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Canton | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
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 Perry Township 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Perry Township
Is Perry Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Perry Township has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #65 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hail (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Perry Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Perry Township since 1980, $116K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Perry Township 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 Stark County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Perry Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Perry Township’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Perry Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Perry Township’s rate for it is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Perry Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Perry Township’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.