FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Decatur Township than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Decatur Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #404 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then hail (20%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2017.
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 Decatur 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
Hail
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.
What’s behind Decatur Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Decatur Township, and Decatur Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 20%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #404 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Decatur Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Michigan town has lower expected damage than 77% of U.S. towns; within the state, Decatur Township has more expected damage per building than 58% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $833K a year in losses across Decatur Township: $617K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Decatur Township flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Decatur Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Decatur 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: Van Buren County.The storms Decatur Township remembers
None of the 10 disasters declared for Van Buren County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Decatur Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20171 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20241 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Van Buren County has had 10 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Decatur Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Decatur Township archive →Decatur Township and its neighbors
Decatur 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volinia Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Decatur Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Paw Paw Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Porter Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hamilton Township | B+less damage than 70% | 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 Decatur 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.
- 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.
- 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 Decatur Township
Is Decatur Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Decatur Township has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #404 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and hail (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Decatur Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Decatur Township since 2017, $18K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Decatur 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 Van Buren County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Decatur Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Decatur Township’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Decatur Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Decatur Township’s rate for it is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Decatur Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Decatur 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.