Photo: Jordano53 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Independence Township faces less hazard damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Independence Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #104 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2013.
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 Independence 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
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 Independence Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Independence Township, and Independence Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 21% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
A #104 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Independence Township’s residents live in 8 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, Independence Township has less expected damage per building than 85% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.4M a year in losses across Independence Township: $5.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Independence Township flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Independence Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Independence 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: Oakland County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Independence Township
Disasters that paid out in Independence Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Independence Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2000Snow$3K to Independence Township for repairs
Oakland County has had 11 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 Independence Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Independence Township archive →Independence Township and its neighbors
Independence Township is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Orion Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Independence Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Auburn Hills | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Waterford Township | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Brandon Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Independence 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.
- 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 Independence Township
Is Independence Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Independence Township has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #104 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Independence Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Independence Township since 2013, $7K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Independence 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 Oakland County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Independence Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Independence 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 Independence Township?
By FEMA money that reached Independence Township, Snow (2000): $3K to Independence Township for repairs.
Is Independence Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Independence Township’s rate for it is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Independence Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Independence 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.