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FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Cuyahoga County Disaster Risk

Cuyahoga County, Ohio

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively High

National Percentile

98th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#2

of 88 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

99th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively High

Higher than 99% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 99% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Cuyahoga County, Ohio

Cuyahoga County faces elevated disaster risk

Cuyahoga County scores 98.00 on the composite risk scale, earning a 'Relatively High' rating that significantly exceeds national and state averages. This major population center experiences multifaceted natural disaster exposure requiring serious preparation.

Ohio's highest-risk major county

Cuyahoga County's 98.00 score far surpasses Ohio's state average of 55.03, making it one of the state's most disaster-prone areas. The county's risk is nearly 78% higher than the statewide average, driven by urban density and geographic factors.

Risk stands out in northeast Ohio

Cuyahoga County (98.00) faces substantially higher disaster risk than nearby Erie County (61.35) and significantly exceeds most other surrounding counties. Its proximity to Lake Erie and urban infrastructure creates distinct vulnerability patterns compared to adjacent areas.

Tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes converge

Tornado risk (98.98), flood risk (98.73), and earthquake risk (89.60) represent Cuyahoga County's primary hazards—all scoring in the high range. This combination of threats demands comprehensive preparation; wildfire risk (56.87) adds an additional layer of concern for county residents.

Multiple insurance policies offer crucial protection

Cuyahoga County residents should maintain robust flood insurance, homeowners coverage, and consider earthquake insurance for complete protection. A basement shelter or safe room rated for tornado winds is strongly recommended given the county's extreme tornado risk.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Cuyahoga County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    99th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    99th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    90th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Cuyahoga County

Risk Verdict

FEMA's National Risk Index places Cuyahoga County at the 98th percentile nationally — in the high-risk bracket for U.S. counties. Residents should prioritize a formal household emergency plan, including evacuation routes, insurance review, and a well-stocked emergency kit.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Cuyahoga County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 99th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 99th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (90th percentile), hurricane (62th percentile), wildfire (57th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With tornado ranked at the 99th percentile nationally, Cuyahoga County sits in a high-exposure zone where the difference between outcomes often comes down to proximity to a reinforced interior shelter and seconds of warning time. Flood is the second hazard driver for Cuyahoga County at the 99th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. For Cuyahoga County households, safe rooms certified to FEMA 320/361 standards offer the highest protection during a direct tornado hit; households without a safe room should locate the innermost lowest-floor room in their building and practice the route to it before storm season.

Regional Context

Cuyahoga County is 43.0 composite risk points above the Ohio average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.

Is your household prepared for Cuyahoga County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Cuyahoga County, OH?
Cuyahoga County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively High, placing it in the 98th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Cuyahoga County?
Cuyahoga County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (99th percentile), flooding (99th percentile), earthquake (90th percentile), hurricane (62th percentile), wildfire (57th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 99th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Cuyahoga County risk compare to the Ohio average?
Cuyahoga County's composite risk percentile is 98th, compared to the Ohio state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Cuyahoga County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Ohio.
Is Cuyahoga County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Cuyahoga County's tornado risk is at the 99th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Cuyahoga County is at the 99th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Cuyahoga County higher risk than average?
Cuyahoga County's composite risk score of 98th percentile is above the Ohio state average of 55th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (99th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake and hurricane and wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Franklin County

Ohio

+0.1

Relatively High

98th percentile

Hamilton County

Ohio

-1.7

Relatively High

96th percentile

Montgomery County

Ohio

-5.3

Relatively Moderate

93th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

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