ASM Headquarters and Geodesic Dome · Photo: Ohio Urban Development · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts Russell Township’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Russell Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #548 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1989.
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 Russell 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
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 Russell Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Russell Township, and Russell Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #548 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Russell Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Ohio town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Russell Township has more expected damage per building than 55% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Russell Township: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Russell Township flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Russell Township, from FEMA’s records: 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms1 claim · $15K
Russell 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: Geauga County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Russell Township
Disasters that paid out in Russell Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Russell Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$16K to Russell Township for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$541 aid approved
Geauga 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 Russell Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Russell Township archive →Russell Township and its neighbors
Russell 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newbury Township | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Chesterland | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Chester Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| South Russell | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Russell Township | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Chagrin Falls | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Hunting Valley | — | 839 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Chagrin Falls Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Russell 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.
- 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 Russell Township
Is Russell Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Russell Township has lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #548 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Russell Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Russell Township since 1989, $164K in all, or 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late winter storms (1).
Is Russell 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 Geauga County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Russell Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Russell 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 Russell Township?
By FEMA money that reached Russell Township, Record Snow and Near Record Snow (2008): $16K to Russell Township for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 1 paid, $15K.
Is Russell Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Russell Township’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Russell Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Russell 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.