FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Halbert Township than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Halbert Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1990.
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 Halbert 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.
What’s behind Halbert Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Halbert Township, and Halbert Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Halbert Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Halbert Township: $704K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Halbert Township flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Halbert Township, from FEMA’s records: 16.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding2 claims · $76K
Halbert 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: Martin County.The storms Halbert Township remembers
None of the 13 disasters declared for Martin County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Halbert Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20054 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms and Flooding, declared for Martin County
- 20252 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared for Martin County
- 19901 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Martin County
Martin County has had 13 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 Halbert Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Halbert Township archive →Halbert Township and its neighbors
Halbert Township is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spice Valley Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Center Township | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Halbert Township | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Shoals | — | 679 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Mitcheltree Township | — | 367 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Lost River Township | — | 379 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Northwest Township | — | 611 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 Halbert 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 Halbert Township
Is Halbert Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Halbert Township has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Halbert Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Halbert Township since 1990, $208K in all, or 16.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (2).
Is Halbert 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 Martin County, 2% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Halbert Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Halbert 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 Halbert Township?
By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 2 paid, $76K.
Is Halbert Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Halbert Township’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Halbert Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Halbert 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.