Storms, floods and disasters in South Ross Township
South Ross Township isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to South Ross Township yet. Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1996.
What South Ross 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.
Does South Ross Township flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Ross Township, from FEMA’s records.
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $8K
South Ross 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: Vermilion County.The storms South Ross Township remembers
None of the 9 disasters declared for Vermilion County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching South Ross Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19961 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Vermilion County
- 20021 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding, declared for Vermilion County
- 20081 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Vermilion County has had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of South Ross Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Ross Township archive →South Ross Township and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newell Township | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Blount Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Ross Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Middlefork Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 South Ross 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 South Ross Township
Does South Ross Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in South Ross Township since 1996, $65K in all. The most claims came from Early winter storms (1).
Is South Ross 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 Vermilion County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in South Ross Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Ross 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 South Ross Township?
By flood claims, Early winter storms: 1 paid, $8K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Ross Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Ross 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.