FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Washington Township than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Washington Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). 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 Washington 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
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 Washington Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Washington Township, and Washington Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Washington Township’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Washington Township: $819K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Washington Township flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Washington Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Washington 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Washington Township
Disasters that paid out in Washington Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Washington Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$34K to Washington Township for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$50K to Washington Township for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$109K to Washington Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$7K to Washington 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 Washington Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Washington Township archive →Washington Township and its neighbors
Washington Township is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Center Township | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Washington Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Osage Township | — | 248 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Lake Township | — | 194 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Walker Township | — | 765 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Deerfield Township | — | 654 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 Washington 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.
- 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 Washington Township
Is Washington Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Washington Township has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Washington Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Washington Township since 1993, $22K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Washington 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 Washington Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Washington 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 Washington Township?
By FEMA money that reached Washington Township, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): $109K to Washington Township for repairs.
Is Washington Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Washington Township’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Washington Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Washington 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.