FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Bedford Township than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bedford Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #391 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1979.
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 Bedford Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bedford 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
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 Bedford Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bedford Township, and Bedford Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #391 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bedford Township’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, Bedford Township has more expected damage per building than 56% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.2M a year in losses across Bedford Township: $6.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bedford Township flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bedford Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bedford Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Monroe County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Bedford Township
Disasters that paid out in Bedford Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Bedford Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$22K to Bedford Township for repairs
Monroe County has had 7 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Bedford Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bedford Township archive →Bedford Township and its neighbors
Bedford Township is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whiteford Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Bedford Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Erie Township | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 187 |
| Toledo | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 520 |
| Ida Township | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Lambertville | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Bedford 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.
- 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.
- Bedford Township residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Bedford Township
Is Bedford Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bedford Township has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #391 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bedford Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Bedford Township since 1979, $49K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Bedford 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 Monroe County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bedford Township?
Bedford Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Bedford Township?
By FEMA money that reached Bedford Township, Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99 (1999): $22K to Bedford Township for repairs.
Is Bedford Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Bedford Township’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bedford Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bedford 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.