For strong wind, Howard City’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Howard City gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). 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 Howard City 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 Howard City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Howard City, and Howard City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 8%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Howard City’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $589K a year in losses across Howard City: $460K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Howard City flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Howard City. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Howard City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Montcalm County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Howard City
Disasters that paid out in Howard City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Howard City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Montcalm County has had 9 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 Howard City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Howard City archive →Get ready for what Howard City 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 Howard City
Is Howard City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Howard City has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and strong wind (8%). 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.
Is Howard City 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 Montcalm County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Howard City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Howard City’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 Howard City?
By FEMA money that reached Howard City, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 3 households applied for aid, $5K approved.
Is Howard City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Howard City’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Howard City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Howard City’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.