More hazard damage per building is expected in Essexville than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Essexville gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #658 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1986.
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 Essexville 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 Essexville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Essexville, and Essexville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #658 of 701 in Michigan; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Essexville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Michigan town has lower expected damage than 77% of U.S. towns; within the state, Essexville has more expected damage per building than 94% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Essexville: $925K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Essexville flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Essexville, 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.
Essexville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bay County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Essexville
Disasters that paid out in Essexville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Essexville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms and Flooding26 households applied for aid$43K aid approved
- 2000Snow$4K to the City of Essexville for repairs
Bay County has had 11 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 Essexville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Essexville archive →Essexville and its neighbors
Essexville is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor Township | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 144 |
| Bay City | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 57 |
| Essexville | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Hampton Township | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
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 Essexville 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 Essexville
Is Essexville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Essexville has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #658 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and tornadoes (6%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Essexville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Essexville since 1986, $5K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Essexville 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 Bay County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Essexville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Essexville’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 Essexville?
By FEMA money that reached Essexville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2017): 26 households applied for aid, $43K approved.
Is Essexville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Essexville’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Essexville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Essexville’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.