Cuyahoga County
Ohio — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 98th
Cuyahoga County faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 98.0, 98th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $282M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Very High | 3.68 / yr | $50M |
| Tornado | Very High | 0.42 / yr | $33M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 2.75 / yr | $178M |
| Heat Wave | High | 2.21 / yr | $11M |
| Strong Wind | High | 2.03 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | High | 19.42 / yr | $755K |
| Lightning | High | 39.96 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.91 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $4M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.01 / yr | $229K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $60K |
| Hail | Low | 3.66 / yr | $284K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $387 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cuyahoga County?
Cuyahoga County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 98.0 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 98th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cuyahoga County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Very High, $50M EAL), Tornado (Very High, $33M EAL), Riverine Flood (High, $178M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cuyahoga County compare to other Ohio counties?
Cuyahoga County ranks #2 of 88 Ohio counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Cuyahoga County's $282M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.