While some faced the looming threat of a hurricane, others bravely battled wildfires. Around that same time, the weather in Cleveland was absolutely beautiful. We forget how lucky we truly are here in Northeast Ohio; few natural disasters seem to impact our area, and the rest of the world has caught on. Cleveland has just been named one of the safest places in the nation, and you’ll be surprised to learn how we compare to other areas.
CBS News has cited Cleveland as the second safest city in the nation when natural disasters are taken into account.
Erik Drost/Flickr Our position follows Syracuse, New York. Right behind Cleveland is Akron, reinforcing the safety of the Northeast Ohio region.
Here, natural disasters are so infrequent that when disaster does strike, it is talked about for generations.
George Grantham Bain Collection, Library of Congress/Wikimedia Pictured above is a bridge being swept away by flood waters in Cleveland. This incident occurred in March of 1913 after a period of unseasonably warm weather brought 11 inches of rain across a span of four days. Regions went without power and families huddled in the remaining undamaged buildings, afraid to leave as gas leaks triggered explosions in some Ohio cities.
The information used to determine our safety status was collected in 2013, one century after our most damaging flood.
k_e_lewis/Flickr Trulia’s real estate research firm compiled information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Forest Service, and FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program to create their list of safest places.
Not surprisingly, Cleveland wasn’t the only city in Ohio to make the list.
Tim Evanson/Flickr The top ten safest cities included Cleveland (#2), Akron (#3), and Dayton (#6).
One benefit that safer cities tend to enjoy is an affordable cost of living.
Tim Evanson/Flickr Compared to more disaster-prone locations, places like Cleveland are remarkably affordable. Additionally, when a disaster like an earthquake or hurricane does occur, it is rather common for homeowners to default on their mortgage, an occurrence that is far less frequent in safer zones.
Despite its well deserved recognition, Cleveland does suffer some rather intense weather patterns.
Benjamin Chodroff/Flickr Snowstorms, in particular, impact the safest cities, though we escape larger-scale disasters.
If you’re looking for a (mostly) disaster-free city to call home, Cleveland is the place to be.
Erik Drost/Flickr Just be prepared to brave the cold.
The weather may seem to change every five minutes, but the likelihood of a natural disaster is fairly low…
Erik Drost/Flickr
…and the city is stunning in all seasons.
Erik Drost/Flickr Even when it rains!
Cleveland is a special destination for a variety of reasons, and our newfound reputation as a safe haven from natural disaster is just another item on a very long list. What is the worst weather-related event that you can remember?
Erik Drost/Flickr
Our position follows Syracuse, New York. Right behind Cleveland is Akron, reinforcing the safety of the Northeast Ohio region.
George Grantham Bain Collection, Library of Congress/Wikimedia
Pictured above is a bridge being swept away by flood waters in Cleveland. This incident occurred in March of 1913 after a period of unseasonably warm weather brought 11 inches of rain across a span of four days. Regions went without power and families huddled in the remaining undamaged buildings, afraid to leave as gas leaks triggered explosions in some Ohio cities.
k_e_lewis/Flickr
Trulia’s real estate research firm compiled information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Forest Service, and FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program to create their list of safest places.
Tim Evanson/Flickr
The top ten safest cities included Cleveland (#2), Akron (#3), and Dayton (#6).
Compared to more disaster-prone locations, places like Cleveland are remarkably affordable. Additionally, when a disaster like an earthquake or hurricane does occur, it is rather common for homeowners to default on their mortgage, an occurrence that is far less frequent in safer zones.
Benjamin Chodroff/Flickr
Snowstorms, in particular, impact the safest cities, though we escape larger-scale disasters.
Just be prepared to brave the cold.
Even when it rains!
For more on century-old disasters, check out the 1913 storm that no one saw coming.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
