On FEMA’s figures, Dayton Township faces less hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dayton Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%), then strong wind (10%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2019.
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 Dayton 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
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 Dayton Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dayton Township, and Dayton Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 10%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dayton Township’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $495K a year in losses across Dayton Township: $359K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dayton Township flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2019
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dayton Township, from FEMA’s records: 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-04-Flooding3 claims · $111K
Dayton 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: Newaygo County.The storms Dayton Township remembers
None of the 10 disasters declared for Newaygo County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Dayton Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20263 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared for Newaygo County
- 20191 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20201 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Newaygo County has had 10 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 Dayton Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dayton Township archive →Dayton Township and its neighbors
Dayton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fremont | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Sherman Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Dayton Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Sheridan Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Denver Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Greenwood Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 Dayton 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.
- 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 Dayton Township
Is Dayton Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dayton Township has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and strong wind (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dayton Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Dayton Township since 2019, $228K in all, or 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2026-04-Flooding (3).
Is Dayton 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 Newaygo County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dayton Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dayton 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 Dayton Township?
By flood claims, 2026-04-Flooding: 3 paid, $111K.
Is Dayton Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Dayton Township’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dayton Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dayton 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.