Photo: Cityofhoughton1 · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Houghton than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Houghton gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #102 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Houghton 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 Houghton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Houghton, and Houghton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
A #102 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Houghton’s residents live in 2 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, Houghton has less expected damage per building than 86% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Houghton: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Houghton flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Houghton. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Houghton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Houghton County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Houghton
Disasters that paid out in Houghton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Houghton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$1.5M to the City of Houghton for repairs
- 2013Flooding$94K to the City of Houghton for repairs
- 2002Flooding$18K to the City of Houghton for repairs
Houghton County has had 6 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Houghton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Houghton archive →Houghton and its neighbors
Houghton has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houghton | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Adams Township | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Stanton Township | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Portage Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Franklin Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hurontown | — | 134 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Dollar Bay | — | 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 Houghton 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 Houghton
Is Houghton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Houghton has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #102 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.
Is Houghton 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 Houghton County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Houghton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Houghton’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 Houghton?
By FEMA money that reached Houghton, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2018): $1.5M to the City of Houghton for repairs.
Is Houghton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Houghton’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Houghton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Houghton’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.