Photo: LeeG7144 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Willoughby’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Willoughby gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #325 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 38 claims here since 1978.
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 Willoughby’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Willoughby 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 Willoughby’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Willoughby, and Willoughby’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A #325 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Willoughby’s residents live in 6 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, Willoughby has less expected damage per building than 67% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across Willoughby: $4.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Willoughby flood? Sometimes: 38 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Willoughby, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms1 claim · $8K
Willoughby isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lake County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Willoughby
Disasters that paid out in Willoughby itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Willoughby), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$72K to the City of Willoughby for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding318 households applied for aid$476K aid approved$310K to the City of Willoughby for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
Lake County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Willoughby after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Willoughby archive →Willoughby and its neighbors
Willoughby is 5th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wickliffe | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Willowick | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Mentor | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Eastlake | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 237 |
| Willoughby | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| Kirtland | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Willoughby Hills | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 102 |
| Waite Hill | — | 600 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Willoughby 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 Willoughby
Is Willoughby at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Willoughby has lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #325 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Willoughby flood?
Flood insurance has paid 38 claims in Willoughby since 1978, $528K in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (1).
Is Willoughby 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 Lake County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Willoughby?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Willoughby’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 Willoughby?
By FEMA money that reached Willoughby, Severe Storms, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding (2006): 318 households applied for aid, $476K approved, and $310K to the City of Willoughby for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 1 paid, $8K.
Is Willoughby at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Willoughby’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Willoughby.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Willoughby’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.