Gentry County Courthouse · Photo: Americasroof · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Athens Township than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Athens Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (18%). 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 Athens 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 Athens Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Athens Township, and Athens Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Athens Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Athens Township: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Athens Township flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Athens Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Athens Township
Disasters that paid out in Athens Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Athens Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$125K to Athens Township for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$167K to Athens Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$61K to Athens Township for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$32K to Athens Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$12K to Athens Township for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$2K to Athens Township for repairs
Show all 7
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$8K to Athens Township for repairs
Gentry County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Athens Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Athens Township archive →Athens Township and its neighbors
Athens 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper Township | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Athens Township | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Huggins Township | — | 53 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Miller Township | — | 388 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Howard Township | — | 60 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| White Oak Township | — | 302 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Butler Township | — | 74 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 Athens 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 Athens Township
Is Athens Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Athens Township has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (18%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Athens Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Athens Township since 2017, $36K in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Athens 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.
How much is flood insurance in Athens Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Athens 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 Athens Township?
By FEMA money that reached Athens Township, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2019): $167K to Athens Township for repairs.
Is Athens Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Athens Township’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Athens Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Athens 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.