Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Walton Hills, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Walton Hills gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 2006.
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 Walton Hills 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 Walton Hills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Walton Hills, and Walton Hills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 17% (higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Walton Hills’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $763K a year in losses across Walton Hills: $633K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Walton Hills flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Walton Hills, from FEMA’s records: 8.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms4 claims · $20K
Walton Hills 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Walton Hills
Disasters that paid out in Walton Hills itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Walton Hills), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Flooding Due to the Remnants of Hurricane Sandy$16K to the Village of Walton Hills for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding24 households applied for aid$40K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
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 Walton Hills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Walton Hills archive →Walton Hills and its neighbors
Walton Hills has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walton Hills | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Oakwood | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Bedford | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Maple Heights | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Sagamore Hills Township | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Valley View | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 308 |
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 Walton Hills 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 Walton Hills
Is Walton Hills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Walton Hills has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (17%). 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 Walton Hills flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Walton Hills since 2006, $45K in all, or 8.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (4).
Is Walton Hills 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 Walton Hills?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Walton Hills’ 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 Walton Hills?
By FEMA money that reached Walton Hills, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding (2006): 24 households applied for aid, $40K approved. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 4 paid, $20K.
Is Walton Hills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Walton Hills’ rate for it is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Walton Hills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Walton Hills’ 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.