Photo: WeaponizingArchitecture · CC BY-SA 4.0East Lansing’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Lansing gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #547 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then tornadoes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 23 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 stands out about East Lansing’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What East Lansing 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
Hail
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 Lansing’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Lansing, and East Lansing’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 21%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B #547 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East Lansing’s residents live in 21 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 Lansing has more expected damage per building than 78% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.8M a year in losses across East Lansing: $8.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Lansing flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Lansing, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $13K
East Lansing isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ingham County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to East Lansing
Disasters that paid out in East Lansing itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of East Lansing), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding25 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding24 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2000Snow$40K to the City of East Lansing for repairs
Its 2 counties have had 12 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 East Lansing after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Lansing archive →East Lansing and its neighbors
East Lansing is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lansing Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Bath Township | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | — |
| DeWitt Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Meridian Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 73 |
| East Lansing | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Lansing | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 103 |
| Haslett | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Okemos | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Lansing 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Lansing
Is East Lansing at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Lansing has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #547 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and tornadoes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does East Lansing flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in East Lansing since 1981, $168K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is East Lansing 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 Ingham County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in East Lansing?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Lansing’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 Lansing?
By FEMA money that reached East Lansing, Snow (2000): $40K to the City of East Lansing for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $13K.
Is East Lansing at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and East Lansing’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Lansing.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Lansing’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.