Photo: Bradley Portnoy, User:Piranhaex at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Bloomfield Hills than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bloomfield Hills gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #87 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1989.
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 Hills 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 Hills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bloomfield Hills, and Bloomfield Hills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 22% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
A #87 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Bloomfield Hills’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Michigan town has lower expected damage than 77% of U.S. towns; within the state, Bloomfield Hills has less expected damage per building than 88% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Bloomfield Hills: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bloomfield Hills flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bloomfield Hills, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bloomfield Hills 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bloomfield Hills
Disasters that paid out in Bloomfield Hills itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bloomfield Hills), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding114 households applied for aid$309K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes101 households applied for aid$166K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding43 households applied for aid$29K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding19 households applied for aid$17K 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 Hills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bloomfield Hills archive →Bloomfield Hills and its neighbors
Bloomfield Hills has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. 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 |
| Bloomfield Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
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 Hills 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 Hills
Is Bloomfield Hills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bloomfield Hills has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #87 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (22%). 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 Bloomfield Hills flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Bloomfield Hills since 1989, $43K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Bloomfield Hills 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 Hills?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bloomfield Hills’ 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 Hills?
By FEMA money that reached Bloomfield Hills, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2023): 114 households applied for aid, $309K approved.
Is Bloomfield Hills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Bloomfield Hills’ rate for it is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bloomfield Hills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bloomfield Hills’ 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.