Clare Downtown Historic District · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Clare than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clare gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #141 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then strong wind (16%). 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 stands out about Clare’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Clare 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
Strong wind
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 Clare’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clare, and Clare’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 16%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
A #141 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clare’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, Clare has less expected damage per building than 80% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $951K a year in losses across Clare: $577K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clare flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Clare. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Clare isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clare County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clare
Disasters that paid out in Clare itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Clare), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2000Snow$2K to the City of Clare for repairs
Clare County has had 6 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Clare after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clare archive →Clare and its neighbors
Clare 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vernon Township | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Clare | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Grant Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
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 Clare 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Clare
Is Clare at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clare has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #141 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and strong wind (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Clare 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 Clare County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clare?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clare’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 Clare?
By FEMA money that reached Clare, Snow (2000): $2K to the City of Clare for repairs.
Is Clare at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Clare’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clare.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clare’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.