On FEMA’s figures, Florence Township faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Florence Township gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2018.
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 Florence 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
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 Florence Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Florence Township, and Florence Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hail at 7% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
B lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Florence Township’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $385K a year in losses across Florence Township: $273K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Florence Township flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Florence Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Florence 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: St. Joseph County.The storms Florence Township remembers
None of the 5 disasters declared for St. Joseph County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Florence Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20181 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
St. Joseph County has had 5 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Florence Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Florence Township archive →Florence Township and its neighbors
Florence Township is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Pigeon Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Sherman Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Florence Township | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Constantine Township | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Florence 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.
- 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 Florence Township
Is Florence Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Florence Township has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hail (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Florence Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Florence Township since 2018, $35K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Florence 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 St. Joseph County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Florence Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Florence Township’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Florence Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Florence Township’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Florence Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Florence 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.