With Hurricane Milton heading toward Florida and swaths of the South still reeling in the wake of Hurricane Helene, many might be wondering: Is any place truly safe from extreme weather?

Indeed, natural disasters have already caused more than $25 billion in damage this year.

And the Realtor.com 2024 Housing and Climate Risk report found that 44.8% of U.S. homes are at risk for extreme weather exposure, including extreme heat, wind, flood, and wildfires.

These threats don’t just impinge on people’s quality of life; they also affect housing prices and home insurance rates.

Sun Belt states are among the most disaster-prone spots in the country, and it shows in their high insurance premiums. Mississippi—which experienced major flooding this past spring—has insurance rates that are 30% above the national average, and Florida’s home insurance rates are four times the national average.

Research from the First Street Foundation estimates that 3.2 million people have become “climate migrants” who are creating “climate abandonment areas” due to extreme weather conditions.

“There appears to be clear winners and losers in regard to the impact of flood risk on neighborhood-level population change,” Jeremy Porter, the foundation’s head of climate implications research, said in a statement. “The downstream implications of this are massive and impact property values, neighborhood composition, and commercial viability both positively and negatively.”

To help prospective buyers consider current environmental realities, Realtor.com created property-specific environmental risk scores for listings that allow users to assess the risk of hazards such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires.

“Prospective homeowners can leverage these scores to evaluate climate-related risks across various locations, helping them identify ‘safer’ areas before making their final decision,” says Realtor.com economist Jiayi Yu. “Living in areas with a low risk of natural disasters offers numerous benefits to homeowners, including reduced risk of property damage, lower insurance costs, and a more stable local economy. This can contribute to a more secure, stable, and fulfilling lifestyle. Choosing to reside in areas with low natural disaster risk can help mitigate these concerns.”

Realtor.com also ranked the safest cities to live in around the country based on the share of homes that face minimal or minor hurricane, flood, or fire damage risk.

In case you’re curious where these safer-than-average havens are hiding, read on.

Akron, OH

Share of homes at the lowest risk: 91.1%
Total value of properties at the lowest risk: $55.4 billion

Cleveland, OH

Share of homes at the lowest risk: 89.3%
Total value of properties at the lowest risk: $163.5 billion

Seattle, WA

Share of homes at the lowest risk: 88.4%
Total value of properties at the lowest risk: $784.2 billion

Columbus, OH

Share of homes at the lowest risk: 87.7%
Total value of properties at the lowest risk: $197.6 billion

Cincinnati, OH

Share of homes at the lowest risk: 87.7%
Total value of properties at the lowest risk: $199.3 billion

Dayton, OH

Share of homes at the lowest risk: 87.2%
Total value of properties at the lowest risk: $57.8 billion

Indianapolis, IN

Share of homes at the lowest risk: 86.9%
Total value of properties at the lowest risk: $190.1 billion

Pittsburgh, PA

Share of homes at the lowest risk: 84.7%
Total value of properties at the lowest risk: $183.3 billion

Toledo, OH

Share of homes at the lowest risk: 83.6%
Total value of properties at the lowest risk: $41 billion

Grand Rapids, MI

Share of homes at the lowest risk: 82.2%
Total value of properties at the lowest risk: $93.4 billion

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Cleveland 19 News is offering an update on our friend and colleague, Winnie Dortch.

On Monday in Lakewood, Winnie was shot in a horrific domestic violence attack.

Winnie remains hospitalized, but we are so relieved to report she is improving.

Her family thanks everyone for their well wishes and prayers.

There has been an outpouring of support from around the country.

Winnie has a long recovery ahead. For now, we are thankful she is safe, and she is healing.

Below, you can send a ‘get well soon’ message to Winnie and read notes from others.

Fill out the form to leave a note for Winnie.

(Note: Your displayed message will include your name and location. Your email address will not be public.)

Winnie’s family has started an online fundraiser to help cover expenses related to her recovery. Here is a link for those wishing to donate.

“We are immensely grateful to God for sparing her life. Winnie has a purpose, and we believe she will emerge from this stronger. Please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers, not only for her physical recovery but also for her emotional and mental well-being. Every prayer, every message of encouragement, and every donation will make a tremendous difference. Thank you all for your love, kindness, and support during this challenging time. Together, we can help Winnie and Kaelie on their path to brighter days ahead.”

Ohioans experiencing domestic violence can find resources by visiting ODVN.org or calling 614-781-9651.

If you are in an emergency, call the 24/7 National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text “START” to 88788.

Copyright 2024 WOIO. All rights reserved.

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CLEVELAND, OH — As temperatures drop, Ohio residents should prepare for the first widespread frost of the season Thursday night. With forecast lows expected to plunge into the 30s, frost is likely to develop away from Lake Erie and east of the Vermilion-Marion line. This sudden change may catch some by surprise, especially as clear skies and calm conditions persist throughout the week.

According to the National Weather Service in Cleveland, areas at the highest risk include Cleveland, Akron, and Youngstown, where temperatures are projected to hover around 36 to 40 degrees overnight. These regions are likely to experience their coldest temperatures so far this fall, with rural areas potentially facing localized freezing.

Residents in frost-prone areas are advised to take preventive measures, especially those with sensitive plants or outdoor equipment. Covering plants and disconnecting hoses can help mitigate frost damage. Vehicle owners should consider parking cars in garages or using windshield covers to prevent frost buildup.

The weather remains relatively mild through Thursday, with daytime highs reaching around 60 degrees. However, Thursday night will bring a sharp drop in temperature as clear skies lead to rapid cooling. Conditions are expected to stay calm, with light winds that may exacerbate the frost risk.

Looking ahead, Friday is forecasted to be sunny with a high near 75 degrees, offering some relief from the chill. However, showers are expected over the weekend, with a 30% chance of rain Saturday afternoon increasing to 60% by Sunday.