Enter any address in Columbiana County, Ohio to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Columbiana County. Between 2003 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 47 flash flood events and 30 flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding on July 1, 2023, which caused damage in East Liverpool, and a period of flooding and flash flooding in June 2019 due to persistent rainfall.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced a significant number of claims, with an average payout of $7,277 and an average water depth of 4.2 feet. Properties in Zone X_UNSHADED have also seen claims, with an average payout of $5,997 and an average water depth of 10.9 feet. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A or Zone X_UNSHADED, as well as those located near waterways or in areas without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
29 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Columbiana County, Ohio has recorded 77 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 47 flash floods and 30 river or area floods. The county has received 18 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1977–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslide | Tornado | May 27, 2019 |
| Severe Storms, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Feb 14, 2018 |
| Severe Storms | Severe Storm | Jun 29, 2012 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Dec 22, 2004 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 27, 2004 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 18, 2004 |
| Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, And High Winds | Tornado | Jul 21, 2003 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 1, 2023 | 500.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 1, 2023 | 250.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 29, 2019 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 20, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 11, 2019 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Jul 7, 2019 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 10, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 10, 2018 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 10, 2018 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Jan 12, 2017 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 1, 2023
Multiple rounds of thunderstorms, first from a decaying morning mesoscale convective system and later forming on outflow from earlier activity, produced heavy rainfall on July 1st. Instability was not high, but precipitable water values of 1.8 to 2.0 inches supported efficient rainfall. Localized totals of 1.5 to 2.5 inches, locally higher, produced flash flooding in several areas. Particularly...
Flash Flood — May 29, 2019
The risk for severe storms continued May 29th as necessary ingredients stayed in place. An unstable/ buoyant atmosphere, wind shear to sustain updrafts, and large scale |ascension with a crossing shortwave were all present on May 29th. With a stalled boundary, and PWATS pushing up to 2 inches, flash flooding was also a concern throughout the entire day.
Flash Flood — Jun 20, 2019
A quasi-stationary frontal boundary set up across Ohio and Pennsylvania on the 17th, and wavered about the region until it was kicked off to the east by a stronger frontal boundary late on the 20th. Flooding and flash flooding remained a concern through the period given an ideal setup for training storms, as well as efficient rainfall production associated with observed high PWATs and deeper w...
Flash Flood — Jul 11, 2019
A passing shortwave trough and surface cold front brought scattered showers and thunderstorm on July 11th. Increasing shear, building instability, and mid-level dry resulted in a few strong storms across the area. Unseasonably high warm cloud depth created impressive rainfall rates, contributing to flash flooding.
Flood — Jul 7, 2019
A weak cold front brought showers and storms across the region on July 7th. Precipitable water values in the 1.7 to 1.9 inch range, low level wind shear, and saturated soils were the factors which contributed to an environment supportive of flash flooding.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Columbiana County, Ohio:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Columbiana County, Ohio that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.