Battle Ground Historic District · Photo: Huw Williams (Huwmanbeing) · Public domainFEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Battle Ground as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Battle Ground gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2004.
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 Battle Ground 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
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 Battle Ground’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Battle Ground, and Battle Ground’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
B− lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Battle Ground’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $712K a year in losses across Battle Ground: $431K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Battle Ground flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Battle Ground, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Battle Ground isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tippecanoe County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Battle Ground
Disasters that paid out in Battle Ground itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Battle Ground), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding27 households applied for aid$170K aid approved
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding21 households applied for aid$85K aid approved
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$2K to the Town of Battle Ground for repairs
Tippecanoe County has had 11 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 Battle Ground after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Battle Ground archive →Get ready for what Battle Ground 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.
- 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 Battle Ground
Is Battle Ground at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Battle Ground has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Battle Ground flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Battle Ground since 2004, $2K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Battle Ground 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 Tippecanoe County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Battle Ground?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Battle Ground’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 Battle Ground?
By FEMA money that reached Battle Ground, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 27 households applied for aid, $170K approved.
Is Battle Ground at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Battle Ground’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Battle Ground.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Battle Ground’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.