On FEMA’s figures, South Russell faces less hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Russell gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #430 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1994.
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 South Russell 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 South Russell’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Russell, and South Russell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #430 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of South Russell’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, South Russell has less expected damage per building than 57% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across South Russell: $906K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Russell flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Russell, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
South Russell 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.The storms South Russell remembers
None of the 9 disasters declared for Geauga County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching South Russell itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19942 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19981 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20201 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
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 South Russell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Russell archive →South Russell and its neighbors
South Russell is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newbury Township | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| South Russell | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Bainbridge Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Bainbridge | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Russell Township | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
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 South Russell 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 South Russell
Is South Russell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Russell has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #430 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 South Russell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in South Russell since 1994, $115K in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is South Russell 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 South Russell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Russell’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is South Russell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and South Russell’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Russell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Russell’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.