On FEMA’s figures, Valley Township faces more hazard damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Valley Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1998.
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 Valley 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 Valley Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Valley Township, and Valley Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 10%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Valley Township’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $773K a year in losses across Valley Township: $431K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Valley Township flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Valley Township, from FEMA’s records: 18.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Thunderstorms3 claims · $121K
Valley 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: Miami County.The storms Valley Township remembers
None of the 12 disasters declared for Miami County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Valley Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20074 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms, declared for Miami County
- 20173 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19981 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Miami County has had 12 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 Valley Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Valley Township archive →Valley Township and its neighbors
Valley Township is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Creek Township | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Paola | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Paola Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Osawatomie | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Valley Township | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Osage Township | — | 998 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Osawatomie Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Miami Township | — | 878 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Stanton Township | — | 809 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 Valley 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 Valley Township
Is Valley Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Valley Township has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Valley Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Valley Township since 1998, $242K in all, or 18.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (3).
Is Valley 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 Miami County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Valley Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Valley 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 Valley Township?
By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 3 paid, $121K.
Is Valley Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Valley Township’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Valley Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Valley 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.