Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Butler Township than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Butler Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2007.
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 Butler 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
Ice storms
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 Butler Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Butler Township, and Butler Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 8%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Butler Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $173K a year in losses across Butler Township: $130K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Butler Township flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Butler Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Butler 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: Richland County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Butler Township
Disasters that paid out in Butler Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Butler Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides31 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Richland County has had 15 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 Butler Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Butler Township archive →Butler Township and its neighbors
Butler Township is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear Creek Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Bloominggrove Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Weller Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Butler Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Butler 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Butler Township
Is Butler Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Butler Township has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) 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 Butler Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Butler Township since 2007, $1K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Butler 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 Richland County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Butler Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Butler 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 Butler Township?
By FEMA money that reached Butler Township, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 31 households applied for aid, $14K approved.
Is Butler Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Butler Township’s rate for it is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Butler Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Butler 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.