On FEMA’s figures, Brooks Township faces less hazard damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brooks Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #291 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%), then strong wind (10%). Flood insurance has paid 21 claims 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 stands out about Brooks Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Brooks 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
Strong wind
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 Brooks Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brooks Township, and Brooks Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 10%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #291 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brooks Township’s residents live in 4 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, Brooks Township has less expected damage per building than 59% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $941K a year in losses across Brooks Township: $683K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brooks Township flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brooks Township, from FEMA’s records: 10.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-04-Flooding6 claims · $239K
Brooks Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Newaygo County.The storms Brooks Township remembers
None of the 10 disasters declared for Newaygo County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Brooks Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 201413 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20266 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared for Newaygo County
- 19861 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Newaygo County
Newaygo County has had 10 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Brooks Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brooks Township archive →Brooks Township and its neighbors
Brooks Township is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grant Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Brooks Township | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Everett Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Garfield Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Newaygo | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Croton Township | Bless damage than 56% | 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 Brooks 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- Brooks Township residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Brooks Township
Is Brooks Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brooks Township has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #291 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and strong wind (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brooks Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Brooks Township since 1986, $950K in all, or 10.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2026-04-Flooding (6).
Is Brooks 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 Newaygo County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brooks Township?
Brooks Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Brooks Township?
By flood claims, 2026-04-Flooding: 6 paid, $239K.
Is Brooks Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Brooks Township’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brooks Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brooks 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.