Photo: Yprahs · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Laurel Township than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Laurel Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Laurel 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 Laurel Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Laurel Township, and Laurel Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Laurel Township’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $483K a year in losses across Laurel Township: $431K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Laurel Township flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Laurel Township. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Laurel 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: Hocking County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Laurel Township
Disasters that paid out in Laurel Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Laurel Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$1K to Laurel Township for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$2K to Laurel Township for repairs
Hocking County has had 14 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 Laurel Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Laurel Township archive →Laurel Township and its neighbors
Laurel Township is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good Hope Township | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Perry Township | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Laurel Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Falls Township | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Benton Township | — | 973 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Laurel 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 Laurel Township
Is Laurel Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Laurel Township has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Laurel 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 Hocking County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Laurel Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Laurel 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 Laurel Township?
By FEMA money that reached Laurel Township, Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow (2003): $2K to Laurel Township for repairs.
Is Laurel Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Laurel Township’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Laurel Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Laurel 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.