Photo: brewbooks · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Big Rapids Township than in 85% of U.S. towns, led by strong wind
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Big Rapids Township gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #697 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is strong wind (49%), then river and rain flooding (46%). Flood insurance has paid 13 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 Big Rapids Township faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Strong wind
River and rain flooding
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 Big Rapids Township’s grade
Strong wind is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Big Rapids Township, and Big Rapids Township’s rate of strong wind damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 46% (higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts).
D #697 of 701 in Michigan; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Big Rapids 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, Big Rapids Township has more expected damage per building than 99% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Big Rapids Township: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Big Rapids Township flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Big Rapids Township, from FEMA’s records: 6.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Big Rapids 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: Mecosta County.The storms Big Rapids Township remembers
None of the 10 disasters declared for Mecosta County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Big Rapids Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20134 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20043 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared for Mecosta County
- 19942 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Mecosta 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 Big Rapids Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Big Rapids Township archive →Big Rapids Township and its neighbors
Big Rapids Township 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colfax Township | C−more damage than 77% | strong wind | — |
| Mecosta Township | C−more damage than 83% | strong wind | 28 |
| Big Rapids Township | Dmore damage than 85% | strong wind | 13 |
| Green Township | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Norwich Township | — | 719 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 Big Rapids 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- 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 Big Rapids Township
Is Big Rapids Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Big Rapids Township has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #697 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is strong wind (49%) and river and rain flooding (46%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Big Rapids Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Big Rapids Township since 1986, $229K in all, or 6.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Big Rapids 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 Mecosta County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Big Rapids Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Big Rapids Township’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Big Rapids Township at risk from strong wind?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Big Rapids Township’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Big Rapids Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Big Rapids 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.