Photo: JonRidinger · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Rootstown Township’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rootstown Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #239 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 2003.
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 Rootstown Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Rootstown 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
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 Rootstown Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rootstown Township, and Rootstown Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts).
A #239 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rootstown Township’s residents live in 2 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, Rootstown Township has less expected damage per building than 76% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Rootstown Township: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rootstown Township flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rootstown Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms1 claim · $13K
Rootstown 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: Portage County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rootstown Township
Disasters that paid out in Rootstown Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Rootstown Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$9K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds8 households applied for aid$1K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
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 Rootstown Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rootstown Township archive →Rootstown Township and its neighbors
Rootstown Township is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edinburg Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Brimfield Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Randolph Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Ravenna Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Rootstown Township | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Charlestown Township | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Rootstown 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.
- 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 Rootstown Township
Is Rootstown Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rootstown Township has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #239 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rootstown Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Rootstown Township since 2003, $67K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late winter storms (1).
Is Rootstown 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 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 Rootstown Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rootstown Township’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 Rootstown Township?
By FEMA money that reached Rootstown Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 8 households applied for aid, $9K approved. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 1 paid, $13K.
Is Rootstown Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Rootstown Township’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rootstown Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rootstown 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.