Photo: Dblcut3 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Youngstown’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Youngstown gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #55 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 40 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 Youngstown’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Youngstown 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
Hail
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 Youngstown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Youngstown, and Youngstown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #55 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Youngstown’s residents live in 31 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, Youngstown has less expected damage per building than 95% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.3M a year in losses across Youngstown: $8.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Youngstown flood? Sometimes: 40 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Youngstown, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms1 claim · $500K
Youngstown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mahoning County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Youngstown
Disasters that paid out in Youngstown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Youngstown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslide605 households applied for aid$345K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding942 households applied for aid$952K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding3,123 households applied for aid$2.6M aid approved
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds7,304 households applied for aid$8.3M aid approved$73K to the City of Youngstown for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding135 households applied for aid$215K aid approved
Mahoning County has had 9 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 Youngstown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Youngstown archive →Youngstown and its neighbors
Youngstown is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campbell | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Youngstown | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
| Hubbard Township | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Austintown Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| Coitsville Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Boardman Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 104 |
| Liberty Township | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Girard | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Struthers | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Austintown | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Youngstown 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.
- 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.
- 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 Youngstown
Is Youngstown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Youngstown has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #55 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Youngstown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 40 claims in Youngstown since 1978, $1.2M in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (1).
Is Youngstown 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 Mahoning County, 44% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Youngstown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Youngstown’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 Youngstown?
By FEMA money that reached Youngstown, Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds (2003): 7,304 households applied for aid, $8.3M approved, and $73K to the City of Youngstown for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 1 paid, $500K.
Is Youngstown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Youngstown’s rate for it is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Youngstown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Youngstown’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.