Photo: Dwight Burdette · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Erie Township faces less hazard damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Erie Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #413 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 187 claims here since 1978.
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 Erie Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Erie 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
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 Erie Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Erie Township, and Erie Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #413 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Erie 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, Erie Township has more expected damage per building than 59% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Erie Township: $850K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Erie Township flood? Yes: 187 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Erie Township, from FEMA’s records: 110.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Erie 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: Monroe County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Erie Township
Disasters that paid out in Erie Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Erie Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
Monroe County has had 7 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 Erie Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Erie Township archive →Erie Township and its neighbors
Erie Township is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Erie Township | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 187 |
| Toledo | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 520 |
| La Salle Township | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 224 |
| Luna Pier | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 208 |
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 Erie 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.
- 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 Erie Township
Is Erie Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Erie Township has lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #413 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Erie Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 187 claims in Erie Township since 1978, $746K in all, or 110.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Erie 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 Monroe County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Erie Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Erie 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 Erie Township?
By FEMA money that reached Erie Township, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2023): 13 households applied for aid, $33K approved.
Is Erie Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Erie Township’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Erie Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Erie 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.