Photo: JonRidinger · CC BY 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Ravenna than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ravenna gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #128 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%). 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 Ravenna 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
Hail
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 Ravenna’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ravenna, and Ravenna’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts).
A #128 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ravenna’s residents live in 5 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, Ravenna has less expected damage per building than 87% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Ravenna: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ravenna flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Ravenna. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Ravenna isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Portage County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ravenna
Disasters that paid out in Ravenna itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ravenna), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding103 households applied for aid$141K aid approved$51K to the City of Ravenna for repairs
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds273 households applied for aid$409K aid approved$10K to the City of Ravenna for repairs
Portage County has had 8 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 Ravenna after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ravenna archive →Get ready for what Ravenna 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.
- 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.
- 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 Ravenna
Is Ravenna at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ravenna has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #128 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Ravenna 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 Portage County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ravenna?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ravenna’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 Ravenna?
By FEMA money that reached Ravenna, Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds (2003): 273 households applied for aid, $409K approved, and $10K to the City of Ravenna for repairs.
Is Ravenna at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Ravenna’s rate for it is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ravenna.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ravenna’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.