Less hazard damage per building is expected in White River than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, White River gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 White River 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 White River’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in White River, and White River’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Lightning adds 1%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
A lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
White River’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $547K a year in losses across White River: $165K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does White River flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in White River. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
White River isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ashland County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to White River
Disasters that paid out in White River itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of White River), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$11K to the Town of White River for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$110K to the Town of White River for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$54K to the Town of White River for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Flooding$10K to the Town of White River for repairs
- 2001Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes$4K to the Town of White River for repairs
- 1999Wi-flood-07/20/99$5K to the Town of White River for repairs
Ashland County has had 11 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 White River after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the White River archive →White River and its neighbors
White River has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| White River | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Sanborn | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Kelly | — | 584 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Jolmaville | — | 104 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Gingles | — | 594 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Marengo | — | 577 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Ashland | — | 654 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 White River 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 White River
Is White River at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, White River has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is White River 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 Ashland County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in White River?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for White River’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 White River?
By FEMA money that reached White River, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): $110K to the Town of White River for repairs.
Is White River at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and White River’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in White River.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where White River’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.