Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in American Township as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, American Township gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #770 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2015.
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 American 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
Earthquakes
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 American Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in American Township, and American Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
B #770 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
American Township’s residents live in 6 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Ohio town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, American Township has more expected damage per building than 78% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.9M a year in losses across American Township: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does American Township flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in American Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
American 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: Allen County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to American Township
Disasters that paid out in American Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to American Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$23K to American Township for repairs
Allen County has had 6 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of American Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the American Township archive →American Township and its neighbors
American Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Township | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Sugar Creek Township | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Shawnee Township | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Lima | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
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 American 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 American Township
Is American Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, American Township has lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #770 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does American Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in American Township since 2015, $83K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is American 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 Allen County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in American Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for American 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 American Township?
By FEMA money that reached American Township, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): $23K to American Township for repairs.
Is American Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and American Township’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in American Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where American 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.