Natural Disaster Risk in Stow

Natural Hazard Profile: Stow, Ohio

Stow is a city of approximately 39,200 residents in Summit County, in the Great Lakes region. The area experiences cold winters with lake-effect snow in the north and warm, humid summers, with spring tornado risk and winter ice storms shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Stow.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Stow carries an overall risk score of 7.3/10, placing it in the high category. Hail is the primary natural disaster concern, with severe storms delivering baseball-sized or larger hailstones that cause significant insured losses each year. The area also faces notable exposure to wind and ice storm.

Stow's risk score, slightly above the 5.8/10 state average and well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Summit County, the highest-scoring are hail, wind, and ice storm. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

Stow's high risk designation reflects meaningful exposure to natural hazards. Residents should verify that their insurance covers the area's primary risks, prepare a family emergency plan, and stay informed about seasonal hazard peaks through local weather and emergency management services.