Photo: ajay_suresh · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Bloomfield Township than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bloomfield Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #175 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1978.
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 Bloomfield 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 Bloomfield Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bloomfield Township, and Bloomfield Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 20% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
A #175 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bloomfield Township’s residents live in 13 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, Bloomfield Township has less expected damage per building than 75% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.2M a year in losses across Bloomfield Township: $10.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bloomfield Township flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bloomfield Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $4K
Bloomfield 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: Oakland County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bloomfield Township
Disasters that paid out in Bloomfield Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Bloomfield Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$41K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$76 aid approved
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 Bloomfield Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bloomfield Township archive →Bloomfield Township and its neighbors
Bloomfield Township is 5th of the 11 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 Hills | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Franklin | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Pontiac | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Auburn Hills | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Bloomfield Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Farmington Hills | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 88 |
| West Bloomfield Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Troy | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Birmingham | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Southfield Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Beverly Hills | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Bloomfield 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Bloomfield Township
Is Bloomfield Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bloomfield Township has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #175 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bloomfield Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Bloomfield Township since 1978, $590K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is Bloomfield 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 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 Bloomfield Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bloomfield Township’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 Bloomfield Township?
By FEMA money that reached Bloomfield Township, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2023): 13 households applied for aid, $41K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Bloomfield Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Bloomfield Township’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bloomfield Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bloomfield 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.