Daniel Striker House · Photo: rossograph · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Hastings faces less hazard damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hastings gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #351 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 12 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 stands out about Hastings’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hastings 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
Strong wind
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 Hastings’ grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hastings, and Hastings’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #351 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hastings’ residents live in 3 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, Hastings has more expected damage per building than 50% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Hastings: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hastings flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hastings, from FEMA’s records: 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hastings isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Barry County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hastings
Disasters that paid out in Hastings itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hastings), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$57K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$4K to the City of Hastings for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding62 households applied for aid$103K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Snow$11K to the City of Hastings for repairs
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$10K to the City of Hastings for repairs
Barry County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Hastings after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hastings archive →Hastings and its neighbors
Hastings is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rutland Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Hastings | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Hastings Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
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 Hastings 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Hastings
Is Hastings at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hastings has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #351 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hastings flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Hastings since 1979, $32K in all, or 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Hastings 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 Barry County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hastings?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hastings’ 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 Hastings?
By FEMA money that reached Hastings, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2004): 62 households applied for aid, $103K approved.
Is Hastings at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Hastings’ rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hastings.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hastings’ 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.