Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Waldo Township’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waldo Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 60 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 Waldo 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
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 Waldo Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Waldo Township, and Waldo Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 3%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Waldo Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $544K a year in losses across Waldo Township: $426K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Waldo Township flood? Sometimes: 60 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Waldo Township, from FEMA’s records: 104.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms5 claims · $18K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $4K
Waldo 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: Marion County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Waldo Township
Disasters that paid out in Waldo Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Waldo Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$2K to Waldo Township for repairs
- 2004Snow$1K to Waldo Township for repairs
Marion County has had 9 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 Waldo Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Waldo Township archive →Waldo Township and its neighbors
Waldo 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Township | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Westfield Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Prospect Township | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Waldo Township | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 60 |
| Marlboro Township | — | 382 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 Waldo 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.
- 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 Waldo Township
Is Waldo Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waldo Township has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (5%). 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 Waldo Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 60 claims in Waldo Township since 1978, $414K in all, or 104.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late winter storms (5).
Is Waldo 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 Marion County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Waldo Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Waldo 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 Waldo Township?
By FEMA money that reached Waldo Township, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): $2K to Waldo Township for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 5 paid, $18K.
Is Waldo Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Waldo Township’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Waldo Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Waldo 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.