Clinton Grove Cemetery · Photo: Andrew Jameson · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Clinton Township faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clinton Township gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #604 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 63 claims here since 1981.
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 Clinton 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 Clinton Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clinton Township, and Clinton Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #604 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clinton Township’s residents live in 28 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, Clinton Township has more expected damage per building than 86% of Michigan towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Clinton Township has lower expected damage per building than 63% (#149 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $30.9M, is the 348th largest of those 400.
Does Clinton Township flood? Sometimes: 63 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clinton Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike5 claims · $162K
Clinton 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clinton Township
Disasters that paid out in Clinton Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Clinton Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding$61K to Clinton Township for repairs21 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Snow$4K to Clinton Township for repairs
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$12K to Clinton Township 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 Clinton Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clinton Township archive →Clinton Township and its neighbors
Clinton Township is 4th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Clemens | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Fraser | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Sterling Heights | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Clinton Township | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 63 |
| Harrison Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 245 |
| St. Clair Shores | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 278 |
| 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 Clinton 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 Clinton Township
Is Clinton Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clinton Township has lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #604 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clinton Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 63 claims in Clinton Township since 1981, $1.8M in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (5).
Is Clinton 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 Clinton Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clinton 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 Clinton Township?
By FEMA money that reached Clinton Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2014): $61K to Clinton Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 5 paid, $162K.
Is Clinton Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Clinton Township’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clinton Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clinton 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.