Ada Covered Bridge · Photo: WMrapids · CC0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Ada Township than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ada Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #436 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 31 claims here since 1979.
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 stands out about Ada Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ada 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
Tornadoes
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 Ada Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ada Township, and Ada Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #436 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ada Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Michigan town has lower expected damage than 77% of U.S. towns; within the state, Ada Township has more expected damage per building than 62% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.9M a year in losses across Ada Township: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ada Township flood? Sometimes: 31 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ada Township, from FEMA’s records: 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ada 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: Kent County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ada Township
Disasters that paid out in Ada Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Ada Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Flooding$6K to Ada Township for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$12K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
Kent County has had 10 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 Ada Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ada Township archive →Ada Township and its neighbors
Ada Township is 7th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids Township | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Kentwood | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Cascade Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Cannon Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Vergennes Township | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Lowell Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Ada Township | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Plainfield Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 175 |
| Forest Hills | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Northview | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Ada 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Ada Township
Is Ada Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ada Township has lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #436 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ada Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 31 claims in Ada Township since 1979, $795K in all, or 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Ada 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 Kent County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Ada Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ada 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 Ada Township?
By FEMA money that reached Ada Township, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2004): 8 households applied for aid, $12K approved.
Is Ada Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Ada Township’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ada Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ada 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.