Photo: Chris857 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Hancock faces less hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hancock gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #259 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). 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 Hancock 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 Hancock’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hancock, and Hancock’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #259 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hancock’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, Hancock has less expected damage per building than 63% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Hancock: $763K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hancock flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Hancock. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Hancock isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Houghton County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hancock
Disasters that paid out in Hancock itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hancock), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$2.4M to the City of Hancock for repairs
- 2002Flooding$23K to the City of Hancock for repairs
Houghton County has had 6 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Hancock after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hancock archive →Hancock and its neighbors
Hancock 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hancock | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Portage Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Franklin Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hancock Township | — | 685 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Quincy Township | — | 327 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Hancock 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 Hancock
Is Hancock at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hancock has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #259 of 701 in Michigan. 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.
Is Hancock 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 Houghton County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Hancock?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hancock’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 Hancock?
By FEMA money that reached Hancock, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2018): $2.4M to the City of Hancock for repairs.
Is Hancock at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Hancock’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hancock.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hancock’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.