Rowe House · Photo: Traveler100 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Highland Township’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Highland Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #238 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2011.
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 Highland Township 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 Highland Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Highland Township, and Highland Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 22%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #238 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Highland Township’s residents live in 6 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, Highland Township has less expected damage per building than 66% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.6M a year in losses across Highland Township: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Highland Township flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Highland Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Highland Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Oakland County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Highland Township
Disasters that paid out in Highland Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Highland Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes6 households applied for aid$8K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Oakland County has had 11 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 Highland Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Highland Township archive →Highland Township and its neighbors
Highland Township is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hartland Township | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Rose Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | — |
| White Lake Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Highland Township | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Milford Township | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Highland Township 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 Highland Township
Is Highland Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Highland Township has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #238 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Highland Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Highland Township since 2011, $69K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Highland Township 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 Oakland County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Highland Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Highland Township’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 Highland Township?
By FEMA money that reached Highland Township, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2023): 13 households applied for aid, $11K approved.
Is Highland Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Highland Township’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Highland Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Highland Township’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.