On FEMA’s figures, Birch Run faces less hazard damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Birch Run gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Birch Run 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
Strong wind
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 Birch Run’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Birch Run, and Birch Run’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 8%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Birch Run’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $524K a year in losses across Birch Run: $364K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Birch Run flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Birch Run, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Birch Run isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Saginaw County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Birch Run
Disasters that paid out in Birch Run itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Birch Run), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$36K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2000Snow$7K to the Village of Birch Run for repairs
Saginaw County has had 15 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 Birch Run after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Birch Run archive →Get ready for what Birch Run 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Birch Run
Is Birch Run at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Birch Run has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and strong wind (8%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Birch Run flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Birch Run since 1986, $2K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Birch Run 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 Saginaw County, 1.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Birch Run?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Birch Run’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 Birch Run?
By FEMA money that reached Birch Run, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 13 households applied for aid, $36K approved.
Is Birch Run at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Birch Run’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Birch Run.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Birch Run’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.