Photo: Nyttend · Public domainHennepin Township’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hennepin Township gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 47 claims here since 1982.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Hennepin Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hennepin Township faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Strong wind
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Hennepin Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hennepin Township, and Hennepin Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 9%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hennepin Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Hennepin Township: $824K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hennepin Township flood? Sometimes: 47 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hennepin Township, from FEMA’s records: 72.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms8 claims · $280K
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $58K
Hennepin Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Putnam County.The storms Hennepin Township remembers
None of the 8 disasters declared for Putnam County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Hennepin Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19859 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20139 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding, declared for Putnam County
- 19828 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding, declared for Putnam County
Putnam County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Hennepin Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hennepin Township archive →Hennepin Township and its neighbors
Hennepin Township is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Granville Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Magnolia Township | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hennepin Township | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| Senachwine Township | — | 477 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Leepertown Township | — | 307 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Hennepin | — | 929 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Henry Township | — | not graded yet | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Hennepin Township faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Hennepin Township
Is Hennepin Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hennepin Township has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hennepin Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 47 claims in Hennepin Township since 1982, $757K in all, or 72.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (8).
Is Hennepin Township in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Putnam County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hennepin Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hennepin Township’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Hennepin Township?
By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 8 paid, $280K.
Is Hennepin Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Hennepin Township’s rate for it is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hennepin Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hennepin Township’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.