Vernier Street-Swan Creek Bridge · Photo: Notorious4life · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Ira Township than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ira Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #427 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 85 claims here since 1982.
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 stands out about Ira Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ira 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
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 Ira Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ira Township, and Ira Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #427 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ira Township’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, Ira Township has more expected damage per building than 61% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Ira Township: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ira Township flood? Sometimes: 85 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ira Township, from FEMA’s records: 37.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ira 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: St. Clair County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ira Township
Disasters that paid out in Ira Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Ira Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2000Snow$1K to Ira Township for repairs
St. Clair County has had 8 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 Ira Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ira Township archive →Ira Township and its neighbors
Ira Township is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cottrellville Township | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Ira Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 85 |
| Chesterfield Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 107 |
| Casco Township | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Clay Township | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 387 |
| New Baltimore | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
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 Ira 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.
- 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 Ira Township
Is Ira Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ira Township has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #427 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ira Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 85 claims in Ira Township since 1982, $387K in all, or 37.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Ira 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 St. Clair County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ira Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ira 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 Ira Township?
By FEMA money that reached Ira Township, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2004): 5 households applied for aid, $4K approved.
Is Ira Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Ira Township’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ira Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ira 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.