Photo: Chris Rycroft from Madison, Wisconsin, United States · CC BY 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Alpena than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alpena gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #301 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1998.
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 Alpena 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 Alpena’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Alpena, and Alpena’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #301 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Alpena’s residents live in 6 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, Alpena has less expected damage per building than 57% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Alpena: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Alpena flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Alpena, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Alpena 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
Disasters that paid out in Alpena itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Alpena), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding70 households applied for aid$406K aid approved$5K to the City of Alpena for repairs
- 2025Severe Winter Storm$246K to the City of Alpena 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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Alpena archive →Get ready for what Alpena 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
Is Alpena at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alpena has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #301 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Alpena flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Alpena since 1998, $13K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Alpena 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?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Alpena’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?
By FEMA money that reached Alpena, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 70 households applied for aid, $406K approved, and $5K to the City of Alpena for repairs.
Is Alpena at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Alpena’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Alpena.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Alpena’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.