FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Grosse Pointe Woods than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grosse Pointe Woods gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Grosse Pointe Woods 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
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 Grosse Pointe Woods’ grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Grosse Pointe Woods, and Grosse Pointe Woods’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D #701 of 701 in Michigan; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Grosse Pointe Woods’ residents live in 4 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, Grosse Pointe Woods has more expected damage per building than 100% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.1M a year in losses across Grosse Pointe Woods: $10.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Grosse Pointe Woods flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Grosse Pointe Woods, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Grosse Pointe Woods isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wayne County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Grosse Pointe Woods
Disasters that paid out in Grosse Pointe Woods itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Grosse Pointe Woods), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding127 households applied for aid$442K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes205 households applied for aid$276K aid approved$93K to the City of Grosse Pointe Woods for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding69 households applied for aid$77K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$26K to the City of Grosse Pointe Woods 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 Grosse Pointe Woods after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Grosse Pointe Woods archive →Grosse Pointe Woods and its neighbors
Grosse Pointe Woods is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 379 |
| Village of Grosse Pointe Shores | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Grosse Pointe Farms | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Harper Woods | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Grosse Pointe Woods | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Grosse Pointe Woods 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.
- 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 Grosse Pointe Woods
Is Grosse Pointe Woods at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grosse Pointe Woods has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Grosse Pointe Woods flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Grosse Pointe Woods since 1979, $1K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Grosse Pointe Woods 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 Grosse Pointe Woods?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Grosse Pointe Woods’ 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 Grosse Pointe Woods?
By FEMA money that reached Grosse Pointe Woods, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2023): 127 households applied for aid, $442K approved.
Is Grosse Pointe Woods at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Grosse Pointe Woods’ rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Grosse Pointe Woods.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Grosse Pointe Woods’ 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.