FEMA puts Harper Woods’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harper Woods gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #698 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1980.
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 Harper 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 Harper Woods’ grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Harper Woods, and Harper Woods’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #698 of 701 in Michigan; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Harper 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, Harper Woods has more expected damage per building than 100% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.8M a year in losses across Harper Woods: $4.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Harper Woods flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Harper Woods, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Harper 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 Harper Woods
Disasters that paid out in Harper Woods itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Harper Woods), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1,707 households applied for aid$4.8M aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes1,201 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$94K to the City of Harper Woods for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding805 households applied for aid$881K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding136 households applied for aid$35K aid approved
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$11K to the City of Harper 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 Harper Woods after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Harper Woods archive →Harper Woods and its neighbors
Harper Woods 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastpointe | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Detroit | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 379 |
| 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 Harper 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 Harper Woods
Is Harper Woods at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harper Woods has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #698 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Harper Woods flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Harper Woods since 1980, $2K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Harper 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 Harper Woods?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Harper 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 Harper Woods?
By FEMA money that reached Harper Woods, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2023): 1,707 households applied for aid, $4.8M approved.
Is Harper Woods at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Harper Woods’ rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Harper Woods.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Harper 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.