FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Ashland Township than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ashland Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #456 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 25 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 stands out about Ashland Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ashland 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
Strong wind
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 Ashland Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ashland Township, and Ashland Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 9%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #456 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ashland Township’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, Ashland Township has more expected damage per building than 65% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $712K a year in losses across Ashland Township: $517K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ashland Township flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ashland Township, from FEMA’s records: 21.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-04-Flooding3 claims · $212K
Ashland 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: Newaygo County.The storms Ashland Township remembers
None of the 10 disasters declared for Newaygo County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Ashland Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20149 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19867 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Newaygo County
- 20133 flood claims paidThe year of Flooding, declared for Newaygo County
Newaygo County has had 10 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 Ashland Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ashland Township archive →Ashland Township and its neighbors
Ashland Township 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grant Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Casnovia Township | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Sheridan Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Garfield Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Bridgeton Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Ashland Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Grant | — | not graded yet | |
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 Ashland 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Ashland Township
Is Ashland Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ashland Township has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #456 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and strong wind (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ashland Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Ashland Township since 1986, $872K in all, or 21.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2026-04-Flooding (3).
Is Ashland 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 Newaygo County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ashland Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ashland 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 Ashland Township?
By flood claims, 2026-04-Flooding: 3 paid, $212K.
Is Ashland Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Ashland Township’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ashland Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ashland 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.