Photo: Phoenix-Five · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Garfield Township, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Garfield Township gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #8 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1999.
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 Garfield 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
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 Garfield Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Garfield Township, and Garfield Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Next is strong wind at 5% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #8 of 701 in Michigan; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Garfield Township’s residents live in 11 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, Garfield Township has less expected damage per building than 99% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.8M a year in losses across Garfield Township: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Garfield Township flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Garfield Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-04-Flooding1 claim · $3K
Garfield 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: Grand Traverse County.The storms Garfield Township remembers
None of the 3 disasters declared for Grand Traverse County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Garfield Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20204 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19991 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20001 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Grand Traverse County has had 3 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 Garfield Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Garfield Township archive →Garfield Township and its neighbors
Garfield 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traverse City | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Garfield Township | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| East Bay Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Long Lake Township | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Blair Township | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Chums Corner | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Garfield 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.
- 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 Garfield Township
Is Garfield Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Garfield Township has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #8 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and strong wind (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Garfield Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Garfield Township since 1999, $25K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2026-04-Flooding (1).
Is Garfield 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 Grand Traverse County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Garfield Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Garfield 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 Garfield Township?
By flood claims, 2026-04-Flooding: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Garfield Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Garfield Township’s rate for it is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Garfield Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Garfield 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.