Cadillac Public Library · Photo: Andrew Jameson · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Cadillac than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cadillac gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #70 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2008.
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 Cadillac 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 Cadillac’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cadillac, and Cadillac’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts).
A #70 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cadillac’s residents live in 5 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, Cadillac has less expected damage per building than 90% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Cadillac: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cadillac flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cadillac, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-04-Flooding4 claims · $196K
Cadillac isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wexford County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cadillac
Disasters that paid out in Cadillac itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cadillac), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding182 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$29K to the City of Cadillac for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Wexford County has had 4 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 Cadillac after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cadillac archive →Cadillac and its neighbors
Cadillac is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haring Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Clam Lake Township | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Cadillac | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Cherry Grove Township | A−less damage than 78% | 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 Cadillac 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 Cadillac
Is Cadillac at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cadillac has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #70 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cadillac flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Cadillac since 2008, $202K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2026-04-Flooding (4).
Is Cadillac 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 Wexford County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Cadillac?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cadillac’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 Cadillac?
By FEMA money that reached Cadillac, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 182 households applied for aid, $1.6M approved. By flood claims, 2026-04-Flooding: 4 paid, $196K.
Is Cadillac at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Cadillac’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cadillac.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cadillac’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.