Ithaca Downtown Historic District · Photo: H. G. Zimmerman & Co · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Ithaca faces less hazard damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ithaca gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #389 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then strong wind (17%). 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 Ithaca 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 Ithaca’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ithaca, and Ithaca’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 17%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #389 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ithaca’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, Ithaca has more expected damage per building than 55% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Ithaca: $762K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ithaca flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Ithaca. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Ithaca isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gratiot County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ithaca
Disasters that paid out in Ithaca itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ithaca), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$147K aid approved
- 2000Snow$4K to the City of Ithaca for repairs
Gratiot 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 Ithaca after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ithaca archive →Ithaca and its neighbors
Ithaca has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ithaca | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Newark Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Arcada Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | — |
| North Star Township | — | 867 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Emerson Township | — | 751 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Ithaca 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 Ithaca
Is Ithaca at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ithaca has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #389 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and strong wind (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Ithaca 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 Gratiot County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ithaca?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ithaca’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 Ithaca?
By FEMA money that reached Ithaca, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 11 households applied for aid, $147K approved.
Is Ithaca at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Ithaca’s rate for it is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ithaca.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ithaca’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.