Photo: User:OHWiki · CC BY-SA 2.5Storms, floods and disasters in Butler
Butler isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to Butler yet. Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1987.
What Butler 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.
Does Butler flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Butler, from FEMA’s records.
- The Late winter storms1 claim · $1K
Butler 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Butler
Disasters that paid out in Butler itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Butler), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$2K to the Village of Butler for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides32 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$7K to the Village of Butler for repairs
- 2004Snow$3K to the Village of Butler for repairs
- 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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Butler archive →Get ready for what Butler 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 Butler
Does Butler flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Butler since 1987, $20K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (1).
Is Butler 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?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Butler’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?
By FEMA money that reached Butler, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 32 households applied for aid, $14K approved, and $7K to the Village of Butler for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 1 paid, $1K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Butler.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Butler’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.