FEMA puts Orion Township’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Orion Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then tornadoes (20%). 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 Orion 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
Hail
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 Orion Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Orion Township, and Orion Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Orion Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $876K a year in losses across Orion Township: $570K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Orion Township flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Orion Township. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Orion 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: Fulton County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Orion Township
Disasters that paid out in Orion Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Orion Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$29K to Orion Township for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$2K to Orion Township for repairs
Fulton County has had 17 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 Orion Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Orion Township archive →Orion Township and its neighbors
Orion Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orion Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Timber Township | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Canton Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Banner Township | — | 512 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Trivoli Township | — | 952 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 Orion 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Orion Township
Is Orion Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Orion Township has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Orion 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 Fulton County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Orion Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Orion 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 Orion Township?
By FEMA money that reached Orion Township, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): $29K to Orion Township for repairs.
Is Orion Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Orion Township’s rate for it is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Orion Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Orion 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.