Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from USA · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Paris Township than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Paris Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2011.
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 Paris 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
Tornadoes
Hail
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 Paris Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Paris Township, and Paris Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts).
A− lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Paris Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $308K a year in losses across Paris Township: $259K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Paris Township flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Paris Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms1 claim · $2K
Paris 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.The storms Paris Township remembers
None of the 8 disasters declared for Portage County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Paris Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20111 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
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 Paris Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Paris Township archive →Paris Township and its neighbors
Paris 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palmyra Township | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Charlestown Township | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Paris Township | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Newton Township | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Windham 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 Paris 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Paris Township
Is Paris Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Paris Township has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (8%). 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 Paris Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Paris Township since 2011, $2K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late winter storms (1).
Is Paris 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 Paris Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Paris 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 Paris Township?
By flood claims, Late winter storms: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Paris Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Paris Township’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Paris Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Paris 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.