Sylvan Township’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sylvan Township gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then strong wind (14%). Flood insurance has paid 18 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 Sylvan 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
Strong wind
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 Sylvan Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sylvan Township, and Sylvan Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 14%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sylvan Township’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $298K a year in losses across Sylvan Township: $223K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sylvan Township flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sylvan Township, from FEMA’s records: 24.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-04-Flooding7 claims · $249K
Sylvan 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: Osceola County.The storms Sylvan Township remembers
None of the 11 disasters declared for Osceola County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Sylvan Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20147 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20267 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared for Osceola County
- 20202 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Osceola County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Sylvan Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sylvan Township archive →Sylvan Township and its neighbors
Sylvan Township is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freeman Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Sylvan Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Orient Township | — | 632 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Middle Branch Township | — | 849 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Osceola Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Sylvan 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Sylvan Township
Is Sylvan Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sylvan Township has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and strong wind (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sylvan Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Sylvan Township since 2005, $479K in all, or 24.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2026-04-Flooding (7).
Is Sylvan 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 Osceola County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Sylvan Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sylvan 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 Sylvan Township?
By flood claims, 2026-04-Flooding: 7 paid, $249K.
Is Sylvan Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Sylvan Township’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sylvan Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sylvan 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.