Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Wayne Township than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wayne Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #558 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 1,022 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 stands out about Wayne Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wayne 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
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 Wayne Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wayne Township, and Wayne Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 11%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C #558 of 593 in Indiana; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wayne Township’s residents live in 37 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, Wayne Township has more expected damage per building than 94% of Indiana towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Wayne Township has higher expected damage per building than 64% (#258 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $33.5M, is the 333th largest of those 400.
Does Wayne Township flood? Yes: 1,022 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wayne Township, from FEMA’s records: 20.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm1 claim · $12K
Wayne 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: Allen County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Wayne Township
Disasters that paid out in Wayne Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Wayne Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$2K to Wayne Township for repairs25 flood claims paid that year
Allen County has had 15 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 Wayne Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wayne Township archive →Wayne Township and its neighbors
Wayne 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Washington Township | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Aboite Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Pleasant Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Adams Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 126 |
| St. Joseph Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 66 |
| Wayne Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 1,022 |
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 Wayne 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.
- 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 Wayne Township
Is Wayne Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wayne Township has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #558 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wayne Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,022 claims in Wayne Township since 1978, $9.5M in all, or 20.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Storm (1).
Is Wayne 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 Allen County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wayne Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wayne 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 Wayne Township?
By FEMA money that reached Wayne Township, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2005): $2K to Wayne Township for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 1 paid, $12K.
Is Wayne Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Wayne Township’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wayne Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wayne 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.