Less hazard damage per building is expected in Center Township than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Center Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #68 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), 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 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.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
Hail
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
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Center Township, and Center Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 20% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
A #68 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Center Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Indiana town has lower expected damage than 60% of U.S. towns; within the state, Center Township has less expected damage per building than 89% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $993K a year in losses across Center Township: $562K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Center Township flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Center Township. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
The storms Center Township remembers
None of the 18 disasters declared for Benton County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Center Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
Benton County has had 18 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.
Center Township and its neighbors
Center 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Center Township | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Oak Grove Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Union Township | — | 212 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Pine Township | — | 199 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Parish Grove Township | — | 108 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Richland Township | — | 666 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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #68 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and tornadoes (20%). 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.
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.
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.
Is Center Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Center Township’s rate for it is lower 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.