Less hazard damage per building is expected in Burton than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burton gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #445 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 60 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 stands out about Burton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Burton 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
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 Burton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Burton, and Burton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #445 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Burton’s residents live in 8 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, Burton has more expected damage per building than 63% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.0M a year in losses across Burton: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Burton flood? Sometimes: 60 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Burton, from FEMA’s records: 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Burton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Genesee County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Burton
Disasters that paid out in Burton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Burton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding29 households applied for aid$11K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Snow$19K to the City of Burton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Genesee County has had 9 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 Burton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Burton archive →Burton and its neighbors
Burton is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Blanc Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Flint Township | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Genesee Township | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Burton | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 60 |
| Flint | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 121 |
| Davison Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
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 Burton 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Burton
Is Burton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burton has lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #445 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Burton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 60 claims in Burton since 1978, $352K in all, or 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Burton 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 Genesee County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Burton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Burton’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 Burton?
By FEMA money that reached Burton, Snow (2000): $19K to the City of Burton for repairs.
Is Burton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Burton’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Burton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Burton’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.