Medical Arts Building · Photo: Andrew Jameson · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Grand Rapids as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grand Rapids gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #593 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 98 claims here since 1979.
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 Grand Rapids’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids’ grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Grand Rapids, and Grand Rapids’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
B #593 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Grand Rapids’ residents live in 55 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, Grand Rapids has more expected damage per building than 85% of Michigan towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Grand Rapids has lower expected damage per building than 67% (#132 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $48.7M, is the 252th largest of those 400.
Does Grand Rapids flood? Sometimes: 98 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Grand Rapids, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Grand Rapids 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Grand Rapids
Disasters that paid out in Grand Rapids itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Grand Rapids), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding409 households applied for aid$155K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Flooding$885K to the City of Grand Rapids for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$16K to the City of Grand Rapids for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding70 households applied for aid$42K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Snow$63K to the City of Grand Rapids for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$95K to the City of Grand Rapids for repairs
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 Grand Rapids after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Grand Rapids archive →Grand Rapids and its neighbors
Grand Rapids is 6th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids Township | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Walker | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| East Grand Rapids | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Kentwood | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Wyoming | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 69 |
| Grand Rapids | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
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 Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids
Is Grand Rapids at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grand Rapids has lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #593 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Grand Rapids flood?
Flood insurance has paid 98 claims in Grand Rapids since 1979, $2.6M in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 14 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Grand Rapids’ 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 Grand Rapids?
By FEMA money that reached Grand Rapids, Flooding (2013): $885K to the City of Grand Rapids for repairs.
Is Grand Rapids at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Grand Rapids’ rate for it is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Grand Rapids.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Grand Rapids’ 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.