Photo: Cushing and Benedict, Alma MI · Public domainFor strong wind, Alma’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alma gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #660 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then strong wind (12%). Flood insurance has paid 20 claims here since 1986.
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 Alma 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
Strong wind
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 Alma’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Alma, and Alma’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 12%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #660 of 701 in Michigan; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Alma’s residents live in 3 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, Alma has more expected damage per building than 94% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Alma: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Alma flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Alma, from FEMA’s records: 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-04-Flooding2 claims · $8K
Alma isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gratiot County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Alma
Disasters that paid out in Alma itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Alma), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$45K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Snow$2K to the City of Alma for repairs
Gratiot County has had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Alma after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Alma archive →Alma and its neighbors
Alma is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Arcada Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pine River Township | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Alma | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
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 Alma 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Alma
Is Alma at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alma has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #660 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and strong wind (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Alma flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Alma since 1986, $144K in all, or 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2026-04-Flooding (2).
Is Alma 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 Gratiot County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Alma?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Alma’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 Alma?
By FEMA money that reached Alma, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 15 households applied for aid, $45K approved. By flood claims, 2026-04-Flooding: 2 paid, $8K.
Is Alma at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Alma’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Alma.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Alma’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.