Water Damage Restoration in Toledo, OH
Toledo by the numbers: 13 flood report days from 2016 to 2025, 118 freezing nights a year. Below: first steps, the records, Ohio insurance rules and costs.
Updated November 2, 2026
First Steps for Water in a Home in Toledo
- Burst pipe: shut the main water valve, then open the lowest faucet to drain the lines (burst pipe steps).
- Stay clear of wet outlets and cords.
- Photograph the damage, then call your insurer.
Toledo Flood Record
NOAA has 14 flood and flash flood reports for Fulton, Lucas and Wood counties from 2016 to 2025, on 13 separate days; June had the most.
At the Toledo 2.4 ENE gauge, May is the wettest month with 3.8 inches on average.
| Month | Flood report days | Normal precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 2.5 |
| February | 1 | 2.5 |
| March | 0 | 2.6 |
| April | 2 | 3.5 |
| May | 2 | 3.8 |
| June | 3 | 3.7 |
| July | 2 | 3.7 |
| August | 2 | 3.8 |
| September | 1 | 3.3 |
| October | 0 | 2.7 |
| November | 0 | 2.6 |
| December | 0 | 2.4 |
| County | Flood report days | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Lucas County | 6 | 7 |
| Wood County | 5 | 5 |
| Fulton County | 2 | 2 |
Freezing Nights in Toledo
Toledo averages 118 nights a year at or below 32°F (Toledo Metcalf Field station). About 44 of them drop to 20°F or colder. NOAA counted 13 winter storm, ice or extreme cold days in Fulton, Lucas and Wood counties from 2016 to 2025.
Unheated crawl spaces, attics and garages freeze first (Red Cross); keep the heat at 55°F or more (IBHS).
Storms and Disasters in Toledo
Notable NOAA storm reports
- June 15, 2023: Hail, 2.5 inch hail (Lucas County)Hail up to tennis ball-size near Cullen Park in Point Place neighborhood of Toledo.
- July 2, 2019: Thunderstorm wind, 81 mph gust (Lucas County)There was significant tree damage reported. Heavy industrial parts and storage containers were lifted and tossed in the air. A man in the town of Holland was killed when an uprooted tree fell on the car while he was sitting in the vehicle.
- July 1, 2019: Flood (Lucas County)Several local and state parks adjacent to the lake have sustained millions of dollars in flood damage and erosion.
- April 11, 2019: Coastal flood (Lucas County)The high water from Lake Erie affected the Maumee River into downtown Toledo on April 11.
- July 31, 2018: Tornado, EF1 (Lucas County)A tornado touched down near Oregon and tracked due north to near Point Place before dissipating. The nearly seven mile long damage patch was intermittent and consisted of mainly tree damage.
Toledo Housing at a Glance
Census figures for the city of Toledo (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024): 132,728 housing units, a median build year of 1955, 84% built before 1980, 71% before 1970, 53% owner occupied.
Ohio Insurance Rules for Water Claims
Ohio insurers must acknowledge a claim within 15 days of receiving notice (Ohio Adm. Code 3901-1-54).
Claim problems in Ohio go to the Ohio Department of Insurance.
Flood damage needs a separate flood policy, which typically starts 30 days after purchase (FloodSmart). Look up Toledo flood zones on FEMA's flood maps.
Restoration Cost Guide for Toledo
| Typical range (national) | Cost |
|---|---|
| Most jobs | $1,305 to $5,707 |
| Sewage, per sq ft | $7 to $7.50 |
| Average insurer payout, water or freeze claim | $15,400 |
Sources: Bob Vila, May 2023; III, 2019 to 2023.
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Questions
When is the first freeze in Toledo?
The median first night at or below 32°F is October 27 and the median last is April 20 at the Toledo Metcalf Field station (NOAA normals, 1991 to 2020).
How fast does mold start?
Dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours (EPA).
Sources: NOAA Storm Events, NOAA normals, OpenFEMA, Census ACS, Ohio Adm. Code 3901-1-54, EPA mold guide.