Photo: Nyttend · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Upper Township than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Upper Township gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #973 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 41 claims here since 1978.
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 Upper 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 Upper Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Upper Township, and Upper Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #973 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Upper Township’s residents live in 6 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Ohio town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Upper Township has more expected damage per building than 98% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.2M a year in losses across Upper Township: $6.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Upper Township flood? Sometimes: 41 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Upper Township, from FEMA’s records: 6.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $5K
Upper 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: Lawrence County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Upper Township
Disasters that paid out in Upper Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Upper Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$16K to Upper Township for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
Lawrence County has had 12 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 Upper Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Upper Township archive →Upper Township and its neighbors
Upper Township is 7th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Russell | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Coal Grove | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Westwood | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 88 |
| Perry Township | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Lawrence Township | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Upper Township | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Hamilton Township | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Ironton | Dmore damage than 90% | 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 Upper 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 Upper Township
Is Upper Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Upper Township has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #973 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Upper Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 41 claims in Upper Township since 1978, $503K in all, or 6.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (1).
Is Upper 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 Lawrence County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Upper Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Upper 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 Upper Township?
By FEMA money that reached Upper Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): $16K to Upper Township for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Upper Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Upper Township’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Upper Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Upper 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.