Photo: Nicholas · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Porter Township faces more hazard damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Porter 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 (94%). Flood insurance has paid 88 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 Porter 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 Porter Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Porter Township, and Porter Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Porter Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $581K a year in losses across Porter Township: $453K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Porter Township flood? Sometimes: 88 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Porter Township, from FEMA’s records: 126.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan30 claims · $380K
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $3K
Porter 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: Clinton County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Porter Township
Disasters that paid out in Porter Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Porter Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$3K to Porter Township for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee$890 to Porter Township for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$43K to Porter Township for repairs
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan$49K to Porter Township for repairs30 flood claims paid for it, $380K
- 2003Snow$3K to Porter Township for repairs
Clinton 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 Porter Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Porter Township archive →Porter Township and its neighbors
Porter 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marion Township | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Liberty Township | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Lamar Township | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 76 |
| Porter Township | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 88 |
| Logan Township | — | 754 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Beech Creek Township | — | 900 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 Porter 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 Porter Township
Is Porter Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Porter 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 (94%). 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 Porter Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 88 claims in Porter Township since 1978, $757K in all, or 126.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 14 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (30).
Is Porter 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 Clinton County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Porter Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Porter 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 Porter Township?
By FEMA money that reached Porter Township, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): $49K to Porter Township for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 30 paid, $380K.
Is Porter Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Porter Township’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Porter Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Porter 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.