Photo: Gpwitteveen · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Hudsonville than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hudsonville gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #116 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1997.
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 Hudsonville 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 Hudsonville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hudsonville, and Hudsonville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A #116 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hudsonville’s residents live in 3 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, Hudsonville has less expected damage per building than 84% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Hudsonville: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hudsonville flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hudsonville, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hudsonville 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hudsonville
Disasters that paid out in Hudsonville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hudsonville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Flooding$3K to the City of Hudsonville for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$12K to the City of Hudsonville for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$758 aid approved
- 2000Snow$6K to the City of Hudsonville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$7K to the City of Hudsonville for repairs
Ottawa County has had 13 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 Hudsonville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hudsonville archive →Hudsonville and its neighbors
Hudsonville is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamestown Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hudsonville | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Georgetown Township | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
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 Hudsonville 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 Hudsonville
Is Hudsonville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hudsonville has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #116 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hudsonville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Hudsonville since 1997, $12K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Hudsonville 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 Hudsonville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hudsonville’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 Hudsonville?
By FEMA money that reached Hudsonville, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): $12K to the City of Hudsonville for repairs.
Is Hudsonville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Hudsonville’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hudsonville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hudsonville’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.