Ramsay-Fox Round Barn and Farm · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, West Township faces less hazard damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #124 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 West 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 West Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Township, and West Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 18% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #124 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of West Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Indiana town has lower expected damage than 60% of U.S. towns; within the state, West Township has less expected damage per building than 79% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across West Township: $758K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Township flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
West 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: Marshall County.The storms West Township remembers
None of the 14 disasters declared for Marshall County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching West Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19902 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Marshall County
- 20081 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Marshall County
Marshall County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of West Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Township archive →West Township and its neighbors
West Township is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| West Township | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Oregon Township | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Polk Township | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Center Township | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 147 |
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 West 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 West Township
Is West Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Township has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #124 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (18%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in West Township since 1990, $20K in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is West 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 Marshall County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Township’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is West Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and West Township’s rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West 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.