FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in East Bay Township than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Bay Township gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #21 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 2012.
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 East Bay 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 East Bay Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Bay Township, and East Bay Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Next is strong wind at 5% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #21 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East Bay Township’s residents live in 6 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, East Bay Township has less expected damage per building than 97% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across East Bay Township: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Bay Township flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 2012
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Bay Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-04-Flooding4 claims · $487K
East Bay 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: Grand Traverse County.The storms East Bay Township remembers
None of the 3 disasters declared for Grand Traverse County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching East Bay Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20264 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared for Grand Traverse County
- 20121 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20201 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Grand Traverse County has had 3 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of East Bay Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Bay Township archive →East Bay Township and its neighbors
East Bay 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traverse City | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Garfield Township | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Acme Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| East Bay Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Whitewater Township | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Paradise Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Blair Township | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Union Township | — | 551 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 East Bay 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 East Bay Township
Is East Bay Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Bay Township has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #21 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and strong wind (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does East Bay Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in East Bay Township since 2012, $633K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2026-04-Flooding (4).
Is East Bay 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 Grand Traverse County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in East Bay Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Bay 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 East Bay Township?
By flood claims, 2026-04-Flooding: 4 paid, $487K.
Is East Bay Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and East Bay Township’s rate for it is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Bay Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Bay 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.