On FEMA’s figures, Center Township faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Center Township gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (45%), then river and rain flooding (43%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2008.
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 Center Township faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
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 Center Township’s grade
Earthquakes are 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Center Township, and Center Township’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B− lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Center Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $942K a year in losses across Center Township: $557K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Center Township flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Center Township, from FEMA’s records: 10.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms3 claims · $4K
Center 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: Gibson County.The storms Center Township remembers
None of the 19 disasters declared for Gibson County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Center Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20113 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and, declared for Gibson County
- 20081 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Gibson County
- 20171 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Gibson County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Center Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Center Township archive →Center Township and its neighbors
Center Township is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Township | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Barton Township | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Patoka Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Center Township | B−less damage than 51% | earthquakes | 5 |
| Washington 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 Center 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Center Township
Is Center Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Center Township has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (45%) and river and rain flooding (43%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Center Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Center Township since 2008, $53K in all, or 10.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (3).
Is Center 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 Gibson County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Center Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Center 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 Center Township?
By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 3 paid, $4K.
Is Center Township at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Center Township’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Center Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Center 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.