Less hazard damage per building is expected in Holton Township than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holton Township 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 (82%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2026.
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 Holton 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
Strong wind
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 Holton Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Holton Township, and Holton Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 9%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
A #120 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Holton Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Michigan town has lower expected damage than 77% of U.S. towns; within the state, Holton Township has less expected damage per building than 83% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $370K a year in losses across Holton Township: $269K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Holton Township flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2026
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Holton Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-04-Flooding1 claim · $54
Holton 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: Muskegon County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Holton Township
Disasters that paid out in Holton Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Holton Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$11K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Muskegon County has had 11 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 Holton Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Holton Township archive →Holton Township and its neighbors
Holton Township is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Lake Township | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Cedar Creek Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Holton Township | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Sheridan Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Greenwood Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 Holton 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Holton Township
Is Holton Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holton Township 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 (82%) and strong wind (9%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Holton Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Holton Township since 2026, $54 in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2026-04-Flooding (1).
Is Holton 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 Muskegon County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Holton Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Holton 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 Holton Township?
By FEMA money that reached Holton Township, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 2 households applied for aid, $11K approved. By flood claims, 2026-04-Flooding: 1 paid, $54.
Is Holton Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Holton Township’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Holton Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Holton 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.