Drake, Edwin S., Farmhouse · Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY 3.0Bridgewater Township’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bridgewater Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2013.
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 Bridgewater 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
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 Bridgewater Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bridgewater Township, and Bridgewater Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bridgewater Township’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Bridgewater Township: $846K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bridgewater Township flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bridgewater Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bridgewater 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: Rice County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bridgewater Township
Disasters that paid out in Bridgewater Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Bridgewater Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$63K to Bridgewater Township for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Flooding$97K to Bridgewater Township for repairs
Rice 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 Bridgewater Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bridgewater Township archive →Bridgewater Township and its neighbors
Bridgewater Township is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dundas | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Northfield | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Bridgewater Township | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Forest Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Cannon City Township | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Northfield Township | — | 812 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Greenvale Township | — | 825 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 Bridgewater 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.
- 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 Bridgewater Township
Is Bridgewater Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bridgewater Township has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bridgewater Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Bridgewater Township since 2013, $26K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Bridgewater 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 Rice County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bridgewater Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bridgewater 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 Bridgewater Township?
By FEMA money that reached Bridgewater Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2012): $97K to Bridgewater Township for repairs.
Is Bridgewater Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Bridgewater Township’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bridgewater Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bridgewater 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.