Less hazard damage per building is expected in Cottrellville Township than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cottrellville Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #410 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1985.
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 Cottrellville 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
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 Cottrellville Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cottrellville Township, and Cottrellville Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #410 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cottrellville Township’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, Cottrellville Township has more expected damage per building than 58% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $900K a year in losses across Cottrellville Township: $590K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cottrellville Township flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cottrellville Township, from FEMA’s records: 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Cottrellville 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: St. Clair County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Cottrellville Township
Disasters that paid out in Cottrellville Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Cottrellville Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
St. Clair County has had 8 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 Cottrellville Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cottrellville Township archive →Cottrellville Township and its neighbors
Cottrellville Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cottrellville Township | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Ira Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 85 |
| Clay Township | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 387 |
| China Township | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Marine City | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
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 Cottrellville 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.
- 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 Cottrellville Township
Is Cottrellville Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cottrellville Township has lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #410 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cottrellville Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Cottrellville Township since 1985, $70K in all, or 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Cottrellville 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 St. Clair County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cottrellville Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cottrellville 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 Cottrellville Township?
By FEMA money that reached Cottrellville Township, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2004): 2 households applied for aid, $8K approved.
Is Cottrellville Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Cottrellville Township’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cottrellville Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cottrellville 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.