Photo: Andrew Jameson · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Hamtramck faces less hazard damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hamtramck gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #147 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Hamtramck 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 Hamtramck’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hamtramck, and Hamtramck’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts).
A #147 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hamtramck’s residents live in 7 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, Hamtramck has less expected damage per building than 79% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.0M a year in losses across Hamtramck: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hamtramck flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Hamtramck. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Hamtramck 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 Hamtramck
Disasters that paid out in Hamtramck itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hamtramck), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1,677 households applied for aid$6.5M aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes2,807 households applied for aid$6.7M aid approved$75K to the City of Hamtramck for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding2,313 households applied for aid$3.0M aid approved$90K to the City of Hamtramck for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding215 households applied for aid$87K aid approved
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$57K to the City of Hamtramck 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 Hamtramck after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hamtramck archive →Get ready for what Hamtramck 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 Hamtramck
Is Hamtramck at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hamtramck has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #147 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Hamtramck 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 Hamtramck?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hamtramck’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 Hamtramck?
By FEMA money that reached Hamtramck, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2021): 2,807 households applied for aid, $6.7M approved, and $75K to the City of Hamtramck for repairs.
Is Hamtramck at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Hamtramck’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hamtramck.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hamtramck’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.