Photo: Violette79 from Brooklyn, NY, USA · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in South Canaan Township than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Canaan Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1996.
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 South Canaan 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
Hurricanes
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 South Canaan Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Canaan Township, and South Canaan Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
A lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of South Canaan Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $290K a year in losses across South Canaan Township: $182K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Canaan Township flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Canaan Township, from FEMA’s records: 11.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $13K
South Canaan 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: Wayne County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Canaan Township
Disasters that paid out in South Canaan Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to South Canaan Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$641 aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $13K
Wayne County has had 21 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 South Canaan Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Canaan Township archive →South Canaan Township and its neighbors
South Canaan Township is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Canaan Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| South Canaan Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Jefferson Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Cherry Ridge Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 South Canaan 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 South Canaan Township
Is South Canaan Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Canaan Township has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hurricanes (12%). 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 South Canaan Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in South Canaan Township since 1996, $71K in all, or 11.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (1).
Is South Canaan 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 Wayne County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in South Canaan Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Canaan 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 South Canaan Township?
By FEMA money that reached South Canaan Township, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 1 households applied for aid, $1K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $13K.
Is South Canaan Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and South Canaan Township’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Canaan Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Canaan 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.