FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Van Buren Township than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Van Buren Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #138 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (17%). 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 Van Buren 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
Strong wind
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 Van Buren Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Van Buren Township, and Van Buren Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 17% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #138 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Van Buren Township’s residents live in 3 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, Van Buren Township has less expected damage per building than 77% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Van Buren Township: $790K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Van Buren Township flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Van Buren Township. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Van Buren 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: LaGrange County.The storms Van Buren Township remembers
None of the 9 disasters declared for LaGrange County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Van Buren Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
LaGrange 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.
Van Buren Township and its neighbors
Van Buren Township is 7th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| York Township | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Clay Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Newbury Township | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Sturgis Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lima Township | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| White Pigeon Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Van Buren Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
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 Van Buren 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Van Buren Township
Is Van Buren Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Van Buren Township has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #138 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Van Buren 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 LaGrange County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Van Buren Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Van Buren Township’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Van Buren Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Van Buren Township’s rate for it is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Van Buren Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Van Buren 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.