Pleasant Lake Depot · Photo: MrHarman · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Steuben Township faces less hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Steuben Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #112 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1978.
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 Steuben 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
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 Steuben Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Steuben Township, and Steuben Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 18% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #112 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Steuben Township’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Indiana town has lower expected damage than 60% of U.S. towns; within the state, Steuben Township has less expected damage per building than 81% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $812K a year in losses across Steuben Township: $593K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Steuben Township flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Steuben Township, from FEMA’s records: 6.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Josephine1 claim · $18K
- The Blizzard of 19931 claim · $29K
Steuben 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: Steuben County.The storms Steuben Township remembers
None of the 9 disasters declared for Steuben County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Steuben Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19966 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Steuben County
- 19781 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19821 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Steuben County has had 9 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 Steuben Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Steuben Township archive →Steuben Township and its neighbors
Steuben Township is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Smithfield Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Otsego Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Steuben Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Salem Township | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
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 Steuben 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.
- 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 Steuben Township
Is Steuben Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Steuben Township has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #112 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Steuben Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Steuben Township since 1978, $75K in all, or 6.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Josephine (1).
Is Steuben 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 Steuben County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Steuben Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Steuben 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 Steuben Township?
By flood claims, Hurricane Josephine: 1 paid, $18K.
Is Steuben Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Steuben Township’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Steuben Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Steuben 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.