FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Vanport Township than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vanport Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2007.
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 Vanport 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 Vanport Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Vanport Township, and Vanport Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Vanport Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $474K a year in losses across Vanport Township: $450K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Vanport Township flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Vanport Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Vanport 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: Beaver County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Vanport Township
Disasters that paid out in Vanport Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Vanport Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan1 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
Beaver County has had 12 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 Vanport Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Vanport Township archive →Vanport Township and its neighbors
Vanport Township is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brighton Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Vanport Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Beaver | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Industry | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Potter Township | — | 519 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 Vanport 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 Vanport Township
Is Vanport Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vanport Township has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). 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 Vanport Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Vanport Township since 2007, $26K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Vanport 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 Beaver County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Vanport Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Vanport 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 Vanport Township?
By FEMA money that reached Vanport Township, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 1 households applied for aid, $26K approved.
Is Vanport Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Vanport Township’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Vanport Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Vanport 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.