Photo: JonRidinger · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Atwater Township faces less hazard damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Atwater Township gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #52 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2006.
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 Atwater 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
Hail
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 Atwater Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Atwater Township, and Atwater Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hail at 9% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #52 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Atwater Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Ohio town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Atwater Township has less expected damage per building than 95% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $452K a year in losses across Atwater Township: $380K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Atwater Township flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Atwater Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Atwater 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: Portage County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Atwater Township
Disasters that paid out in Atwater Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Atwater Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding28 households applied for aid$52K aid approved
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds20 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
Portage County has had 8 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 Atwater Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Atwater Township archive →Atwater Township and its neighbors
Atwater Township is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edinburg Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Atwater Township | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Randolph Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Deerfield Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Atwater 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.
- 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.
- 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 Atwater Township
Is Atwater Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Atwater Township has lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #52 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hail (9%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Atwater Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Atwater Township since 2006, $2K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Atwater 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 Portage County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Atwater Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Atwater 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 Atwater Township?
By FEMA money that reached Atwater Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 28 households applied for aid, $52K approved.
Is Atwater Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Atwater Township’s rate for it is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Atwater Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Atwater 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.