Storms, floods and disasters in Palestine Township
Palestine Township isn’t graded for hazard risk: Palestine Township has 154 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 85 claims here since 1979.
What Palestine 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
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.
Does Palestine Township flood? Sometimes: 85 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Palestine Township, from FEMA’s records.
- The Midwest Flooding5 claims · $47K
- The Thunderstorms3 claims · $13K
Palestine 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: Sumner County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Palestine Township
Disasters that paid out in Palestine Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Palestine Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides$19K to Palestine Township for repairs15 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$68K to Palestine Township for repairs23 flood claims paid that year
Sumner County has had 24 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 Palestine Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Palestine Township archive →Palestine Township and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Gore Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Belle Plaine Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Harmon Township | — | 96 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 Palestine 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.
- 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 Palestine Township
Does Palestine Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 85 claims in Palestine Township since 1979, $1.6M in all. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (5).
Is Palestine 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 Sumner County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Palestine Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Palestine 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 Palestine Township?
By FEMA money that reached Palestine Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): $68K to Palestine Township for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 5 paid, $47K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Palestine Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Palestine 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.