McGregor Memorial Conference Center · Photo: Matt Joseph · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Detroit than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Detroit gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #340 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 379 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 Detroit’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Detroit 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 Detroit’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Detroit, and Detroit’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #340 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Detroit’s residents live in 269 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, Detroit has less expected damage per building than 52% of Michigan towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Detroit has lower expected damage per building than 87% (#52 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $142M, is the 66th largest of those 400.
Does Detroit flood? Yes: 379 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Detroit, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-04-Flooding1 claim · $28K
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $1K
Detroit is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Wayne County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Detroit
Disasters that paid out in Detroit itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Detroit), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$50K to the City of Detroit for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding89,602 households applied for aid$284M aid approved27 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes66,077 households applied for aid$132M aid approved$7.4M to the City of Detroit for repairs99 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding73,751 households applied for aid$93.9M aid approved$1.0M to the City of Detroit for repairs85 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$56K to the City of Detroit for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Snow$52K to the City of Detroit for repairs
Show all 8
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding75,264 households applied for aid$32.4M aid approved
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$766K to the City of Detroit for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Wayne County has had 13 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 Detroit after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Detroit archive →Detroit and its neighbors
Detroit is 2nd of the 11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redford Township | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 61 |
| Detroit | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 379 |
| Dearborn Heights | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 420 |
| Melvindale | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Warren | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Dearborn | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 53 |
| River Rouge | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Grosse Pointe Park | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Lincoln Park | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| Harper Woods | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Grosse Pointe Woods | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Detroit 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.
- Detroit residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Detroit
Is Detroit at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Detroit has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #340 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Detroit flood?
Flood insurance has paid 379 claims in Detroit since 1979, $3.0M in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 68 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2026-04-Flooding (1).
Is Detroit 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 Wayne County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Detroit?
Detroit is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Detroit?
By FEMA money that reached Detroit, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2023): 89,602 households applied for aid, $284M approved. By flood claims, 2026-04-Flooding: 1 paid, $28K.
Is Detroit at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Detroit’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Detroit.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Detroit’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.