GALLINIPPER Shipwreck (Schooner) · Photo: Wisconsin Historical Society · Public domainFEMA puts Cleveland’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cleveland gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then hail (14%). 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 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
Hail
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 Cleveland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cleveland, and Cleveland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hail at 14% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
A lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Cleveland’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $746K a year in losses across Cleveland: $474K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cleveland flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cleveland, from FEMA’s records: 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% 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: Manitowoc County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cleveland
Disasters that paid out in Cleveland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Cleveland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2000Snow$1K to the Village of Cleveland for repairs
Manitowoc County has had 6 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 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 →Cleveland and its neighbors
Cleveland has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Centerville | — | 431 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 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.
- 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.
- 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 Cleveland
Is Cleveland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cleveland has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hail (14%). 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 3 claims in Cleveland since 1980, $2K in all, or 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
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 Manitowoc County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
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, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 5 households applied for aid, $5K approved.
Is Cleveland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Cleveland’s rate for it is lower than 80% 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.