FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Silver Lake as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Silver Lake gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #795 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1979.
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 Silver Lake 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
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 Silver Lake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Silver Lake, and Silver Lake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hail at 9% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #795 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Silver Lake’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, Silver Lake has more expected damage per building than 80% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $855K a year in losses across Silver Lake: $766K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Silver Lake flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Silver Lake, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Silver Lake isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Summit County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Silver Lake
Disasters that paid out in Silver Lake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Silver Lake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$13K to the Village of Silver Lake for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds48 households applied for aid$71K aid approved$6K to the Village of Silver Lake for repairs
Summit County has had 10 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 Silver Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Silver Lake archive →Silver Lake and its neighbors
Silver Lake is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stow | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Cuyahoga Falls | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Silver Lake | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Silver Lake 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.
- 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 Silver Lake
Is Silver Lake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Silver Lake has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #795 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hail (9%). 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 Silver Lake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Silver Lake since 1979, $1K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Silver Lake 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 Summit County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Silver Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Silver Lake’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 Silver Lake?
By FEMA money that reached Silver Lake, Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds (2003): 48 households applied for aid, $71K approved, and $6K to the Village of Silver Lake for repairs.
Is Silver Lake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Silver Lake’s rate for it is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Silver Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Silver Lake’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.