On FEMA’s figures, Algonac faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Algonac gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #637 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 85 claims here since 1980.
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 Algonac 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 Algonac’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Algonac, and Algonac’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #637 of 701 in Michigan; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Algonac’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Michigan town has lower expected damage than 77% of U.S. towns; within the state, Algonac has more expected damage per building than 91% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Algonac: $773K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Algonac flood? Sometimes: 85 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Algonac, from FEMA’s records: 42.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Algonac isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Clair County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Algonac
Disasters that paid out in Algonac itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Algonac), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2000Snow$5K to the City of Algonac for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
St. Clair County has had 8 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 Algonac after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Algonac archive →Algonac and its neighbors
Algonac has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Algonac | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 85 |
| Pearl Beach | — | 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 Algonac 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 Algonac
Is Algonac at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Algonac has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #637 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and tornadoes (6%). 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 Algonac flood?
Flood insurance has paid 85 claims in Algonac since 1980, $733K in all, or 42.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Algonac 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 St. Clair County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Algonac?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Algonac’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 Algonac?
By FEMA money that reached Algonac, Snow (2000): $5K to the City of Algonac for repairs.
Is Algonac at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Algonac’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Algonac.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Algonac’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.