More hazard damage per building is expected in White River Township than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, White River Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then earthquakes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 2005.
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
Earthquakes
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 65% 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 70% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
White River Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across White River Township: $621K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does White River Township flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in White River Township, from FEMA’s records: 20.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms7 claims · $168K
- The Storm2 claims · $53K
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: Gibson County.The storms White River Township remembers
None of the 19 disasters declared for Gibson County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching White River Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20117 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and, declared for Gibson County
- 20085 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Gibson County
- 20051 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms and Flooding, declared for Gibson County
Gibson County has had 19 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 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 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patoka Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Johnson Township | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Montgomery Township | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | — |
| White River Township | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Mount Carmel | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Decker Township | — | 265 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Washington Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Patoka | — | 737 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and earthquakes (26%). 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 14 claims in White River Township since 2005, $322K in all, or 20.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (7).
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 Gibson County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% 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 flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 7 paid, $168K.
Is White River Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and White River Township’s rate for it is higher than 70% 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.