Photo: 42-BRT · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Center Line faces less hazard damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Center Line gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #252 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (20%). 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 Center Line 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 Center Line’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Center Line, and Center Line’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 20% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #252 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Center Line’s residents live in 2 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, Center Line has less expected damage per building than 64% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Center Line: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Center Line flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Center Line. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Center Line isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Macomb County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Center Line
Disasters that paid out in Center Line itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Center Line), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding189 households applied for aid$349K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes34 households applied for aid$46K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding373 households applied for aid$310K aid approved$36K to the City of Center Line for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2000Snow$8K to the City of Center Line for repairs
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$5K to the City of Center Line for repairs
Macomb County has had 14 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 Center Line after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Center Line archive →Get ready for what Center Line 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 Center Line
Is Center Line at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Center Line has lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #252 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Center Line 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 Macomb County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Center Line?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Center Line’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 Center Line?
By FEMA money that reached Center Line, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2023): 189 households applied for aid, $349K approved.
Is Center Line at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Center Line’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Center Line.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Center Line’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.