Photo: SamuelNelsonGISP · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Cooper Township’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cooper Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2021.
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 Cooper 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 Cooper Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cooper Township, and Cooper Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% 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 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cooper Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Cooper Township: $909K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cooper Township flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2021
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cooper Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cooper Township
Disasters that paid out in Cooper Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Cooper Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$70K to Cooper Township for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$24K to Cooper Township for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$10K to Cooper Township for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$7K to Cooper 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 Cooper Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cooper Township archive →Cooper Township and its neighbors
Cooper Township is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson Township | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
| 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+ | |
| Wilson Township | — | 419 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Washington Township | — | 357 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Jefferson Township | — | 742 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 Cooper 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 Cooper Township
Is Cooper Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cooper Township has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cooper Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Cooper Township since 2021, $98K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Cooper 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 Cooper Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cooper 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 Cooper Township?
By FEMA money that reached Cooper Township, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): $70K to Cooper Township for repairs.
Is Cooper Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Cooper Township’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cooper Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cooper 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.