Gibraltar Road-Waterway Canal Bridge · Photo: Andrew Jameson · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Gibraltar than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gibraltar gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #170 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 459 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Gibraltar’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Gibraltar 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 Gibraltar’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gibraltar, and Gibraltar’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 7% (higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts).
A #170 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Gibraltar’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, Gibraltar has less expected damage per building than 76% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Gibraltar: $785K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gibraltar flood? Yes: 459 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gibraltar, from FEMA’s records: 193.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Gibraltar is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Wayne County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gibraltar
Disasters that paid out in Gibraltar itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Gibraltar), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding125 households applied for aid$239K aid approved13 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$5K to the City of Gibraltar for repairs
Wayne County has had 13 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 Gibraltar after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gibraltar archive →Gibraltar and its neighbors
Gibraltar has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gibraltar | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 459 |
| Brownstown Township | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 65 |
| Grosse Ile Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
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 Gibraltar 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.
- Gibraltar residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Gibraltar
Is Gibraltar at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gibraltar has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #170 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and tornadoes (7%). 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 Gibraltar flood?
Flood insurance has paid 459 claims in Gibraltar since 1978, $2.5M in all, or 193.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Gibraltar 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 Wayne County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Gibraltar?
Gibraltar is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Gibraltar?
By FEMA money that reached Gibraltar, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2023): 125 households applied for aid, $239K approved.
Is Gibraltar at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Gibraltar’s rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gibraltar.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gibraltar’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.