Photo: Chris Rycroft from Madison, Wisconsin, United States · CC BY 2.0Storms, floods and disasters in Alpena Township
Alpena Township isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to Alpena Township yet. Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1985.
What Alpena 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
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.
Does Alpena Township flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Alpena Township, from FEMA’s records.
Alpena 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: Alpena County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Alpena Township
Disasters that paid out in Alpena Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Alpena Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$5K to Alpena Township for repairs
- 2025Severe Winter Storm$70K to Alpena Township for repairs
Alpena County has had 4 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Alpena Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Alpena Township archive →Alpena Township and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanborn Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Presque Isle Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Wilson Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Maple Ridge Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Alpena 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.
- 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 Alpena Township
Does Alpena Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Alpena Township since 1985, $18K in all.
Is Alpena 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 Alpena County, 4% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Alpena Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Alpena 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 Alpena Township?
By FEMA money that reached Alpena Township, Severe Winter Storm (2025): $70K to Alpena Township for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Alpena Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Alpena 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.