Photo: Lrgjr72 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Ferndale’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ferndale gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #159 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2014.
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 Ferndale 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 Ferndale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ferndale, and Ferndale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 20% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
A #159 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ferndale’s residents live in 7 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, Ferndale has less expected damage per building than 77% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.8M a year in losses across Ferndale: $2.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ferndale flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2014
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ferndale, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ferndale isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Oakland County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ferndale
Disasters that paid out in Ferndale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ferndale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding325 households applied for aid$789K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes68 households applied for aid$75K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding1,514 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$222K to the City of Ferndale for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding98 households applied for aid$24K aid approved
- 2000Snow$9K to the City of Ferndale for repairs
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$15K to the City of Ferndale for repairs
Oakland 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 Ferndale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ferndale archive →Ferndale and its neighbors
Ferndale is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Oak Township | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Ferndale | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Hazel Park | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Detroit | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 379 |
| Pleasant Ridge | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Oak Park | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Royal Oak | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
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 Ferndale 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 Ferndale
Is Ferndale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ferndale has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #159 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ferndale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Ferndale since 2014, $207K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Ferndale 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 Oakland County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ferndale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ferndale’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 Ferndale?
By FEMA money that reached Ferndale, Severe Storms and Flooding (2014): 1,514 households applied for aid, $1.7M approved, and $222K to the City of Ferndale for repairs.
Is Ferndale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Ferndale’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ferndale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ferndale’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.