Photo: Nyttend · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Toronto than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Toronto gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #978 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1996.
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 Toronto 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 Toronto’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Toronto, and Toronto’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #978 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Toronto’s residents live in 3 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, Toronto has more expected damage per building than 98% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Toronto: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Toronto flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Toronto, from FEMA’s records: 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan5 claims · $499K
Toronto isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Toronto
Disasters that paid out in Toronto itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Toronto), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$45K to the City of Toronto for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides7 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$45K to the City of Toronto for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding57 households applied for aid$95K aid approved$27K to the City of Toronto for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides2 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Jefferson County has had 19 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 Toronto after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Toronto archive →Toronto and its neighbors
Toronto is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Island Creek Township | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Weirton | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 143 |
| Knox Township | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Toronto | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
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 Toronto 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 Toronto
Is Toronto at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Toronto has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #978 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Toronto flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Toronto since 1996, $616K in all, or 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (5).
Is Toronto 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 Jefferson County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Toronto?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Toronto’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 Toronto?
By FEMA money that reached Toronto, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 57 households applied for aid, $95K approved, and $27K to the City of Toronto for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 5 paid, $499K.
Is Toronto at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Toronto’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Toronto.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Toronto’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.