Photo: ajay_suresh · CC BY 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Auburn Hills than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Auburn Hills gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #176 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then tornadoes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2000.
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 Auburn Hills 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
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 Auburn Hills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Auburn Hills, and Auburn Hills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 25% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
A #176 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Auburn Hills’ residents live in 10 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, Auburn Hills has less expected damage per building than 75% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.2M a year in losses across Auburn Hills: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Auburn Hills flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2000
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Auburn Hills, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Auburn Hills isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Oakland County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Auburn Hills
Disasters that paid out in Auburn Hills itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Auburn Hills), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding108 households applied for aid$166K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes18 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$948 aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding36 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2000Snow$29K to the City of Auburn Hills for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$27K to the City of Auburn Hills for repairs
Oakland County has had 11 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 Auburn Hills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Auburn Hills archive →Auburn Hills and its neighbors
Auburn Hills is 6th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orion Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Independence Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Rochester Hills | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Pontiac | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Bloomfield Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Auburn Hills | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Waterford Township | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Lake Angelus | — | 238 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Auburn Hills 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.
- 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 Auburn Hills
Is Auburn Hills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Auburn Hills has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #176 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and tornadoes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Auburn Hills flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Auburn Hills since 2000, $76K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Auburn Hills 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 Oakland County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Auburn Hills?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Auburn Hills’ 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 Auburn Hills?
By FEMA money that reached Auburn Hills, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2023): 108 households applied for aid, $166K approved.
Is Auburn Hills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Auburn Hills’ rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Auburn Hills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Auburn Hills’ 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.