White River Township’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, White River Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #463 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 31 claims here since 1979.
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 White River 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 White River Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in White River Township, and White River Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #463 of 593 in Indiana; higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
White River Township’s residents live in 9 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, White River Township has more expected damage per building than 78% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $18.7M a year in losses across White River Township: $15.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does White River Township flood? Sometimes: 31 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in White River Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm18 claims · $559K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $12K
White River 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: Johnson County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to White River Township
Disasters that paid out in White River Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to White River Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$2K to White River Township for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$4K to White River Township for repairs
Johnson County has had 13 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 White River Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the White River Township archive →White River Township and its neighbors
White River Township is 7th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Township | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Indianapolis | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1,638 |
| Greenwood | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Pleasant Township | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Perry Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 101 |
| Union Township | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| White River Township | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Bargersville | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Harrison Township | Cmore damage than 67% | 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 White River 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 White River Township
Is White River Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, White River Township has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #463 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does White River Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 31 claims in White River Township since 1979, $756K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Storm (18).
Is White River 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 Johnson County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in White River Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for White River 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 White River Township?
By FEMA money that reached White River Township, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2005): $4K to White River Township for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 18 paid, $559K.
Is White River Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and White River Township’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in White River Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where White River 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.