Photo: TomahawkBRAWL · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Salem faces less hazard damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salem gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #12 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2004.
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 Salem’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Salem 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 Salem’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Salem, and Salem’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #12 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Salem’s residents live in 4 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 has less expected damage per building than 99% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Salem: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Salem flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Salem, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Salem isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Columbiana County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Salem
Disasters that paid out in Salem itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Salem), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding92 households applied for aid$164K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding61 households applied for aid$77K aid approved
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds390 households applied for aid$381K aid approved$23K to the City of Salem for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Columbiana County has had 15 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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Salem archive →Salem and its neighbors
Salem has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salem | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Green Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Salem Heights | — | 256 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 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 Salem
Is Salem at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salem has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #12 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Salem flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Salem since 2004, $57K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Salem 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 Columbiana County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Salem?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Salem’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 Salem?
By FEMA money that reached Salem, Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds (2003): 390 households applied for aid, $381K approved, and $23K to the City of Salem for repairs.
Is Salem at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Salem’s rate for it is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Salem.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Salem’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.