FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Grosse Pointe than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grosse Pointe gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #683 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 7 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 Grosse Pointe 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’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Grosse Pointe, and Grosse Pointe’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
C #683 of 701 in Michigan; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Grosse Pointe’s residents live in 2 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 has more expected damage per building than 97% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Grosse Pointe: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Grosse Pointe flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Grosse Pointe, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Grosse Pointe 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Grosse Pointe
Disasters that paid out in Grosse Pointe itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Grosse Pointe), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding234 households applied for aid$653K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes1,270 households applied for aid$2.7M aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding136 households applied for aid$159K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Grosse Pointe archive →Grosse Pointe and its neighbors
Grosse Pointe is 3rd of the 4 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 |
| Grosse Pointe Park | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Grosse Pointe | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Grosse Pointe Farms | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 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
Is Grosse Pointe at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grosse Pointe has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #683 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Grosse Pointe flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Grosse Pointe since 1981, $53K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Grosse Pointe 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?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Grosse Pointe’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 Grosse Pointe?
By FEMA money that reached Grosse Pointe, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2021): 1,270 households applied for aid, $2.7M approved.
Is Grosse Pointe at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Grosse Pointe’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Grosse Pointe.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Grosse Pointe’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.