Photo: Bwsmith84 · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Watertown Township than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Watertown Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1980.
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 Watertown 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 Watertown Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Watertown Township, and Watertown Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Watertown Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $484K a year in losses across Watertown Township: $367K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Watertown Township flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Watertown Township, from FEMA’s records: 44.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan4 claims · $40K
Watertown 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: Washington County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Watertown Township
Disasters that paid out in Watertown Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Watertown Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides$233K to Watertown Township for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$4K to Watertown Township for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$36K to Watertown Township for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$18K to Watertown Township for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$26K aid approved$8K to Watertown Township for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides$72K to Watertown Township for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$2K to Watertown Township for repairs
Washington County has had 16 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 Watertown Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Watertown Township archive →Watertown Township and its neighbors
Watertown Township is 4th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barlow Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Warren Township | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Muskingum Township | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Watertown Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Windsor Township | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Waterford Township | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Adams Township | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 62 |
| Palmer Township | — | 996 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 Watertown 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 Watertown Township
Is Watertown Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Watertown Township has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Watertown Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Watertown Township since 1980, $253K in all, or 44.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (4).
Is Watertown 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 Washington County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Watertown Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Watertown 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 Watertown Township?
By FEMA money that reached Watertown Township, Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides (2018): $233K to Watertown Township for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 4 paid, $40K.
Is Watertown Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Watertown Township’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Watertown Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Watertown 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.