Dodge County Courthouse · Photo: Ammodramus · Public domainFEMA puts Platte Township’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Platte Township gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 334 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Platte Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Platte 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 Platte Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Platte Township, and Platte Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 13%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Platte Township’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Platte Township: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Platte Township flood? Yes: 334 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Platte Township, from FEMA’s records: 292.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding175 claims · $6.6M
Platte 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: Dodge County.The storms Platte Township remembers
None of the 18 disasters declared for Dodge County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Platte Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 2019175 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding, declared for Dodge County
- 201037 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Dodge County
- 201634 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Dodge 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 Platte Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Platte Township archive →Platte Township and its neighbors
Platte 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pohocco Township | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fremont | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 381 |
| Platte Township | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 334 |
| North Cedar Township | — | 879 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Elkhorn Township | — | 396 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Inglewood | — | 511 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Cotterell Township | — | 353 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Nickerson Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Platte 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 Platte Township
Is Platte Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Platte Township has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Platte Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 334 claims in Platte Township since 1978, $7.9M in all, or 292.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2019 Midwest Flooding (175).
Is Platte 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 Dodge County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Platte Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Platte 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 Platte Township?
By flood claims, March 2019 Midwest Flooding: 175 paid, $6.6M.
Is Platte Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Platte Township’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Platte Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Platte 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.