Flooding is the number one natural hazard in the State of Ohio, whether caused by rapid ice melt, mud slides, land slides, excessive rain or flash flooding which can result in severe property, structural damage or worse the possibility of loss of life, can occur.

In July 2009, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) updated the flood maps for Summit County, these maps are known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM). FEMA mandated the use of the new mapping system, as the previous maps were outdated and nearly thirty years old. By law our Flood Hazard Ordinance was revised, thus allowing our residents the opportunity to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). These maps were designed by FEMA in order to mandate minimum safety thresholds for the protection of life and property.

Some residents may be notified by their mortgage lender of the potential that their property is located within the designated Floodplain area, whether or not their property may have experienced any damage in recent years.

The County of Summit Fiscal Office has included an overlay of the updated FIRM maps that will be beneficial for residents and property owners seeking additional information.

We offer the following step-by-step details for all residents: