On FEMA’s figures, Hamilton 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, Hamilton Township gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then tornadoes (13%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Hamilton 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 Hamilton Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hamilton Township, and Hamilton Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
B lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hamilton Township’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Hamilton Township: $538K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hamilton Township flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Hamilton Township. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Hamilton 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: Caldwell County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hamilton Township
Disasters that paid out in Hamilton Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Hamilton Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$352K to Hamilton Township for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$88K to Hamilton Township for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$25K to Hamilton Township for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$2K to Hamilton Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$20K to Hamilton Township for repairs
Caldwell County has had 19 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 Hamilton Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hamilton Township archive →Hamilton Township and its neighbors
Hamilton Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Kidder Township | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Sheridan Township | — | 494 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Gomer Township | — | 265 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Kingston Township | — | 751 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Kidder | — | 501 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 Hamilton 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 Hamilton Township
Is Hamilton Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hamilton Township has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Hamilton 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 Caldwell County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hamilton Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hamilton 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 Hamilton Township?
By FEMA money that reached Hamilton Township, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2021): $352K to Hamilton Township for repairs.
Is Hamilton Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Hamilton Township’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hamilton Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hamilton 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.