Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Converse as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Converse gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then tornadoes (12%). 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 Converse 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
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 Converse’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Converse, and Converse’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
B− higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Converse’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $515K a year in losses across Converse: $358K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Converse flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Converse. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Converse isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Miami County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Converse
Disasters that paid out in Converse itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Converse), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Snow$3K to the Town of Converse for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$9K to the Town of Converse for repairs
- 2000Snow$837 to the Town of Converse for repairs
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$2K to the Town of Converse for repairs
Miami County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Converse after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Converse archive →Get ready for what Converse 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.
- 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 Converse
Is Converse at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Converse has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Converse 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 Miami County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Converse?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Converse’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 Converse?
By FEMA money that reached Converse, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 6 households applied for aid, $13K approved, and $9K to the Town of Converse for repairs.
Is Converse at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Converse’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Converse.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Converse’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.