Photo: Dick Man · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Cleveland than in 69% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cleveland gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #63 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then ice storms (20%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1984.
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 Cleveland 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
Ice storms
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 Cleveland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cleveland, and Cleveland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 20%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #63 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Cleveland’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Oklahoma town has higher expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Cleveland has less expected damage per building than 52% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Cleveland: $936K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cleveland flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cleveland, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Cleveland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pawnee County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cleveland
Disasters that paid out in Cleveland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cleveland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds58 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding20 households applied for aid$58K aid approved$21K to the City of Cleveland for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$4K to the City of Cleveland for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$36K to the City of Cleveland for repairs
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat$4K to the City of Cleveland for repairs
Pawnee County has had 23 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.
Also 6 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Pawnee County, 2011–2025.
Old photos of Cleveland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cleveland archive →Get ready for what Cleveland 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Cleveland
Is Cleveland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cleveland has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #63 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and ice storms (20%). 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 Cleveland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Cleveland since 1984, $15K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Cleveland 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 Pawnee County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Cleveland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cleveland’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 Cleveland?
By FEMA money that reached Cleveland, Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (2025): 58 households applied for aid, $1.6M approved.
Is Cleveland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Cleveland’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cleveland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cleveland’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.