Photo: w_lemay · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in University Heights than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, University Heights gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #171 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 University Heights 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
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 University Heights’ grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in University Heights, and University Heights’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts).
A #171 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
University Heights’ 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, University Heights has less expected damage per building than 83% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across University Heights: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does University Heights flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in University Heights, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
University Heights isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cuyahoga County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to University Heights
Disasters that paid out in University Heights itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of University Heights), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding59 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds131 households applied for aid$111K aid approved
Cuyahoga 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 University Heights after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the University Heights archive →University Heights and its neighbors
University Heights is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beachwood | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| University Heights | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Cleveland Heights | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Shaker Heights | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
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 University Heights 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.
- 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 University Heights
Is University Heights at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, University Heights has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #171 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does University Heights flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in University Heights since 1980, $2K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is University Heights 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 Cuyahoga County, 38% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in University Heights?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for University Heights’ 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 University Heights?
By FEMA money that reached University Heights, Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds (2003): 131 households applied for aid, $111K approved.
Is University Heights at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and University Heights’ rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in University Heights.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where University Heights’ 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.