Photo: Forevercry · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Bridgman faces less hazard damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bridgman gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1980.
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 Bridgman 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
Hail
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 Bridgman’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bridgman, and Bridgman’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts).
A lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bridgman’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $599K a year in losses across Bridgman: $415K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bridgman flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bridgman, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bridgman isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Berrien County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bridgman
Disasters that paid out in Bridgman itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bridgman), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2000Snow$4K to the City of Bridgman for repairs
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$4K to the City of Bridgman for repairs
Berrien County has had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Bridgman after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bridgman archive →Bridgman and its neighbors
Bridgman 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgman | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Lake Township | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Bridgman 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Bridgman
Is Bridgman at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bridgman has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bridgman flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Bridgman since 1980, $6K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Bridgman 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 Berrien County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bridgman?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bridgman’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 Bridgman?
By FEMA money that reached Bridgman, Snow (2000): $4K to the City of Bridgman for repairs.
Is Bridgman at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Bridgman’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bridgman.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bridgman’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.