Photo: brewbooks · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA puts Cedar Springs’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cedar Springs gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #123 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (15%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Cedar Springs 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 Cedar Springs’ grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cedar Springs, and Cedar Springs’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 15% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
A #123 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Cedar Springs’ 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, Cedar Springs has less expected damage per building than 83% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $799K a year in losses across Cedar Springs: $597K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cedar Springs flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Cedar Springs. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Cedar Springs isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kent County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cedar Springs
Disasters that paid out in Cedar Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cedar Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2000Snow$3K to the City of Cedar Springs for repairs
Kent County has had 10 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 Cedar Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cedar Springs archive →Cedar Springs and its neighbors
Cedar Springs is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nelson Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Cedar Springs | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Solon Township | Aless damage than 85% | 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 Cedar Springs 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 Cedar Springs
Is Cedar Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cedar Springs has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #123 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (15%). 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.
Is Cedar Springs 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 Kent County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Cedar Springs?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cedar Springs’ 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 Cedar Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Cedar Springs, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2023): 9 households applied for aid, $11K approved.
Is Cedar Springs at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Cedar Springs’ rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cedar Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cedar Springs’ 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.