Photo: Nyttend · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Ames Township than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ames Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 40 claims here since 1997.
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 Ames 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
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 Ames Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ames Township, and Ames Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ames Township’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $377K a year in losses across Ames Township: $319K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ames Township flood? Sometimes: 40 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ames Township, from FEMA’s records: 65.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan12 claims · $409K
Ames 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: Athens County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ames Township
Disasters that paid out in Ames Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Ames Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$32K to Ames Township for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides$115K to Ames Township for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$2K to Ames Township for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$45K to Ames Township for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$32K to Ames Township for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides$70K to Ames Township for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$39K to Ames Township for repairs
Athens County has had 15 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 Ames Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ames Township archive →Ames Township and its neighbors
Ames 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canaan Township | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Dover Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 81 |
| Ames Township | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
| Bern Township | — | 352 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Homer 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 Ames 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.
- 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 Ames Township
Is Ames Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ames Township has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ames Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 40 claims in Ames Township since 1997, $1.2M in all, or 65.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (12).
Is Ames 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 Athens County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ames Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ames 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 Ames Township?
By FEMA money that reached Ames Township, Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides (2018): $115K to Ames Township for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 12 paid, $409K.
Is Ames Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Ames Township’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ames Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ames 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.