Photo: WeaponizingArchitecture · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Berkley than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Berkley gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #438 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2014.
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 Berkley 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 Berkley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Berkley, and Berkley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 15% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #438 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Berkley’s residents live in 5 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, Berkley has more expected damage per building than 62% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Berkley: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Berkley flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2014
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Berkley, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Berkley 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 Berkley
Disasters that paid out in Berkley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Berkley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding37 households applied for aid$80K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes11 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding1,452 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$418K to the City of Berkley for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2000Snow$10K to the City of Berkley for repairs
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$11K to the City of Berkley 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 Berkley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Berkley archive →Berkley and its neighbors
Berkley is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Park | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Royal Oak | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Berkley | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Huntington Woods | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Berkley 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 Berkley
Is Berkley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Berkley has lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #438 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Berkley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Berkley since 2014, $1K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Berkley 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 Berkley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Berkley’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 Berkley?
By FEMA money that reached Berkley, Severe Storms and Flooding (2014): 1,452 households applied for aid, $1.6M approved, and $418K to the City of Berkley for repairs.
Is Berkley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Berkley’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Berkley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Berkley’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.