John W. Hunter House · Photo: Andrew Jameson · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Birmingham than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Birmingham gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #262 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1981.
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 Birmingham 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 Birmingham’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Birmingham, and Birmingham’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 18% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #262 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Birmingham’s residents live in 7 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, Birmingham has less expected damage per building than 63% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.7M a year in losses across Birmingham: $5.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Birmingham flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Birmingham, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Birmingham 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 Birmingham
Disasters that paid out in Birmingham itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Birmingham), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding36 households applied for aid$82K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes26 households applied for aid$11K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding18 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2000Snow$14K to the City of Birmingham for repairs
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$35K to the City of Birmingham 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 Birmingham after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Birmingham archive →Birmingham and its neighbors
Birmingham is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomfield Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Troy | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Birmingham | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
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 Birmingham 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 Birmingham
Is Birmingham at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Birmingham has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #262 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Birmingham flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Birmingham since 1981, $84K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Birmingham 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 Birmingham?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Birmingham’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 Birmingham?
By FEMA money that reached Birmingham, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2023): 36 households applied for aid, $82K approved.
Is Birmingham at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Birmingham’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Birmingham.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Birmingham’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.