FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Allen Park as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Allen Park gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #618 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 35 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 Allen Park 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 Allen Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Allen Park, and Allen Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #618 of 701 in Michigan; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Allen Park’s residents live in 8 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, Allen Park has more expected damage per building than 88% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.8M a year in losses across Allen Park: $4.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Allen Park flood? Sometimes: 35 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Allen Park, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Allen Park 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Allen Park
Disasters that paid out in Allen Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Allen Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding302 households applied for aid$721K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes72 households applied for aid$101K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding659 households applied for aid$450K aid approved$135K to the City of Allen Park for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding271 households applied for aid$214K aid approved9 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$31K to the City of Allen Park for repairs
Wayne County has had 13 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 Allen Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Allen Park archive →Allen Park and its neighbors
Allen Park is 6th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southgate | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Dearborn Heights | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 420 |
| Melvindale | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Dearborn | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 53 |
| Lincoln Park | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| Allen Park | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
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 Allen Park 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 Allen Park
Is Allen Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Allen Park has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #618 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Allen Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 35 claims in Allen Park since 1979, $240K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Allen Park 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, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Allen Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Allen Park’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 Allen Park?
By FEMA money that reached Allen Park, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2023): 302 households applied for aid, $721K approved.
Is Allen Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Allen Park’s rate for it is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Allen Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Allen Park’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.