Minneapolis Shoal Light Station · Photo: US Coast Guard · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Ford River Township than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ford River Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Ford River 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
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 Ford River Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ford River Township, and Ford River Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hail at 10% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ford River Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $834K a year in losses across Ford River Township: $507K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ford River Township flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ford River Township, from FEMA’s records: 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ford River 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: Delta County.The storms Ford River Township remembers
None of the 3 disasters declared for Delta County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Ford River Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19862 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20191 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20201 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Delta County has had 3 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Ford River Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ford River Township archive →Ford River Township and its neighbors
Ford River Township 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wells Township | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Escanaba | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Ford River Township | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Bark River Township | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Gourley Township | — | 436 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Cedarville Township | — | 233 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 Ford River 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.
- 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 Ford River Township
Is Ford River Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ford River Township has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and hail (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ford River Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Ford River Township since 1986, $50K in all, or 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Ford River 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 Delta County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Ford River Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ford River Township’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Ford River Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Ford River Township’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ford River Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ford River 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.