Photo: Stow photographer · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Stow faces less hazard damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stow gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #267 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then hail (14%). Flood insurance has paid 42 claims here since 1980.
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 Stow’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Stow 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
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 Stow’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Stow, and Stow’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hail at 14% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
A #267 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Stow’s residents live in 8 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, Stow has less expected damage per building than 73% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.2M a year in losses across Stow: $5.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Stow flood? Sometimes: 42 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Stow, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Stow 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 Stow
Disasters that paid out in Stow itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Stow), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$23K to the City of Stow for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding68 households applied for aid$52K aid approved$38K to the City of Stow for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds375 households applied for aid$682K aid approved$80K to the City of Stow for repairs20 flood claims paid that year
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 Stow after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Stow archive →Stow and its neighbors
Stow is 3rd of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brimfield Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Hudson | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Stow | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Tallmadge | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Kent | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Cuyahoga Falls | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Munroe Falls | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Franklin Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| 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 Stow 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.
- 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 Stow
Is Stow at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stow has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #267 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and hail (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Stow flood?
Flood insurance has paid 42 claims in Stow since 1980, $323K in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Stow 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 Stow?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Stow’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 Stow?
By FEMA money that reached Stow, Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds (2003): 375 households applied for aid, $682K approved, and $80K to the City of Stow for repairs.
Is Stow at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Stow’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Stow.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Stow’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.