On FEMA’s figures, Center 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, Center Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #106 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1993.
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 Center 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 Center Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Center Township, and Center Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #106 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Center Township’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Missouri town has higher expected damage than 59% of U.S. towns; within the state, Center Township has less expected damage per building than 57% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.9M a year in losses across Center Township: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Center Township flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Center Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Center 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: Vernon County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Center Township
Disasters that paid out in Center Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Center Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding$22K to Center Township for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$6K to Center Township for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$10K to Center Township for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$23K to Center Township for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$52K to Center Township for repairs
Vernon County has had 22 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 Center Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Center Township archive →Center Township and its neighbors
Center Township is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Center Township | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Drywood Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Washington Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Badger Township | — | 339 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Deerfield Township | — | 654 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Moundville Township | — | 628 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Walker Township | — | 765 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 Center 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 Center Township
Is Center Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Center Township has higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #106 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Center Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Center Township since 1993, $8K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Center 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 Vernon County, 4% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Center Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Center 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 Center Township?
By FEMA money that reached Center Township, Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding (2002): $52K to Center Township for repairs.
Is Center Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Center Township’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Center Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Center 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.