FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Salem Heights than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salem Heights gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #453 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Salem Heights 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 Salem Heights’ grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Salem Heights, and Salem Heights’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 18% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #453 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Salem Heights’ 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, Salem Heights has less expected damage per building than 54% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $881K a year in losses across Salem Heights: $565K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Salem Heights flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Salem Heights, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Salem Heights isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hamilton County.The storms Salem Heights remembers
None of the 16 disasters declared for Hamilton County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Salem Heights itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19781 flood claims paidThe year of Blizzards and Snowstorms, declared for Hamilton County
- 19791 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19801 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Hamilton County has had 16 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 Salem Heights after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Salem Heights archive →Salem Heights and its neighbors
Salem Heights 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forestville | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fruit Hill | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Salem Heights | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Anderson Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
| Cincinnati | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 723 |
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 Salem Heights 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 Salem Heights
Is Salem Heights at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salem Heights has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #453 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Salem Heights flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Salem Heights since 1978, $32K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Salem Heights 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 Hamilton County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Salem Heights?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Salem Heights’ flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Salem Heights at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Salem Heights’ rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Salem Heights.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Salem Heights’ 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.