FEMA puts Gaines Township’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gaines Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #77 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 9 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 Gaines 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
Strong wind
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 Gaines Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gaines Township, and Gaines Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 22% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
A #77 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gaines Township’s residents live in 6 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, Gaines Township has less expected damage per building than 89% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.5M a year in losses across Gaines Township: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gaines Township flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gaines Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $1K
Gaines 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: Kent County.The storms Gaines Township remembers
None of the 10 disasters declared for Kent County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Gaines Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20014 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19812 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20081 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Kent County has had 10 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 Gaines Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gaines Township archive →Gaines Township and its neighbors
Gaines Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gaines Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Kentwood | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Byron Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Leighton Township | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Caledonia Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
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 Gaines 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Gaines Township
Is Gaines Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gaines Township has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #77 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gaines Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Gaines Township since 1981, $50K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is Gaines 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 Kent County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Gaines Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gaines 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 Gaines Township?
By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Gaines Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Gaines Township’s rate for it is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gaines Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gaines 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.