Photo: BenHerrera1979 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Holland faces less hazard damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holland gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #120 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 18 claims here since 1981.
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 Holland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Holland 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 Holland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Holland, and Holland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 8%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A #120 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Holland’s residents live in 9 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, Holland has less expected damage per building than 83% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.9M a year in losses across Holland: $5.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Holland flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Holland, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Holland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ottawa County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Holland
Disasters that paid out in Holland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Holland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Flooding$31K to the City of Holland for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$31K to the City of Holland for repairs
- 2000Snow$22K to the City of Holland for repairs
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$15K to the City of Holland for repairs
Its 2 counties have had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Holland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Holland archive →Holland and its neighbors
Holland has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holland | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Fillmore Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Laketown Township | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Park Township | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Holland Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Beechwood | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Holland 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 Holland
Is Holland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holland has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #120 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Holland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Holland since 1981, $311K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Holland 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 Ottawa County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Holland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Holland’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 Holland?
By FEMA money that reached Holland, Flooding (2013): $31K to the City of Holland for repairs.
Is Holland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Holland’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Holland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Holland’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.