Kolping Park and Chapel · Photo: Andrew Jameson · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Chesterfield Township’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chesterfield Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #481 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 107 claims here since 1979.
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 Chesterfield Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Chesterfield 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
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 Chesterfield Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chesterfield Township, and Chesterfield Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #481 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chesterfield Township’s residents live in 11 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, Chesterfield Township has more expected damage per building than 69% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.1M a year in losses across Chesterfield Township: $9.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chesterfield Township flood? Yes: 107 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chesterfield Township, from FEMA’s records: 5.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Chesterfield Township 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chesterfield Township
Disasters that paid out in Chesterfield Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Chesterfield Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding443 households applied for aid$940K aid approved8 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding42 households applied for aid$34K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding33 households applied for aid$13K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Snow$3K to Chesterfield Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Chesterfield Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chesterfield Township archive →Chesterfield Township and its neighbors
Chesterfield Township is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lenox Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Ira Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 85 |
| Chesterfield Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 107 |
| New Baltimore | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Harrison Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 245 |
| Macomb Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
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 Chesterfield 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.
- 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 Chesterfield Township
Is Chesterfield Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chesterfield Township has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #481 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chesterfield Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 107 claims in Chesterfield Township since 1979, $1.1M in all, or 5.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Chesterfield 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 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 Chesterfield Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chesterfield Township’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 Chesterfield Township?
By FEMA money that reached Chesterfield Township, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2023): 443 households applied for aid, $940K approved.
Is Chesterfield Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Chesterfield Township’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chesterfield Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chesterfield 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.