Photo: WeaponizingArchitecture · CC BY-SA 4.0Bay City’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bay City gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #602 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 57 claims here since 1982.
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 Bay City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bay City 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
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 Bay City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bay City, and Bay City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #602 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bay City’s residents live in 12 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, Bay City has more expected damage per building than 86% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.1M a year in losses across Bay City: $7.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bay City flood? Sometimes: 57 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bay City, from FEMA’s records: 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bay City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bay County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bay City
Disasters that paid out in Bay City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bay City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms and Flooding215 households applied for aid$277K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Snow$26K to the City of Bay City for repairs
Bay 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 Bay City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bay City archive →Bay City and its neighbors
Bay City is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor Township | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 144 |
| Bay City | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 57 |
| Monitor Township | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Portsmouth Township | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Essexville | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Frankenlust Township | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Hampton Township | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
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 Bay City 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.
- 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 Bay City
Is Bay City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bay City has lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #602 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bay City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 57 claims in Bay City since 1982, $293K in all, or 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Bay City 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 Bay County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bay City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bay City’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 Bay City?
By FEMA money that reached Bay City, Severe Storms and Flooding (2017): 215 households applied for aid, $277K approved.
Is Bay City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Bay City’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bay City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bay City’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.