FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Smithfield Township than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Smithfield Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2009.
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 Smithfield 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
Strong wind
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 Smithfield Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Smithfield Township, and Smithfield Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 16% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
A− lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Smithfield Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $524K a year in losses across Smithfield Township: $368K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Smithfield Township flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Smithfield Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Smithfield 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: DeKalb County.The storms Smithfield Township remembers
None of the 12 disasters declared for DeKalb County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Smithfield Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20091 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared for DeKalb County
DeKalb County has had 12 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 Smithfield Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Smithfield Township archive →Smithfield Township and its neighbors
Smithfield Township is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fairfield Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Smithfield Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Steuben Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Grant Township | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Smithfield 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Smithfield Township
Is Smithfield Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Smithfield Township has lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Smithfield Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Smithfield Township since 2009, $55K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Smithfield 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 DeKalb County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Smithfield Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Smithfield Township’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Smithfield Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Smithfield Township’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Smithfield Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Smithfield 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.