For tornadoes, Hopedale Township’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hopedale Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (16%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Hopedale 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
Earthquakes
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 Hopedale Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hopedale Township, and Hopedale Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hopedale Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Hopedale Township: $711K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hopedale Township flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Hopedale Township. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Hopedale 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: Tazewell County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hopedale Township
Disasters that paid out in Hopedale Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Hopedale Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$5K to Hopedale Township for repairs
- 2006Snow$3K to Hopedale Township for repairs
Tazewell County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Hopedale Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hopedale Township archive →Hopedale Township and its neighbors
Hopedale Township is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tremont Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hopedale Township | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Little Mackinaw Township | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Dillon Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Boynton Township | — | 406 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Hopedale 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Hopedale Township
Is Hopedale Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hopedale Township has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Hopedale 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 Tazewell County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hopedale Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hopedale 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 Hopedale Township?
By FEMA money that reached Hopedale Township, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $5K to Hopedale Township for repairs.
Is Hopedale Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Hopedale Township’s rate for it is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hopedale Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hopedale 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.