Less hazard damage per building is expected in Kalkaska than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kalkaska gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). 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 Kalkaska 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 Kalkaska’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kalkaska, and Kalkaska’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kalkaska’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $671K a year in losses across Kalkaska: $330K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kalkaska flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Kalkaska. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Kalkaska isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kalkaska County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Kalkaska
Disasters that paid out in Kalkaska itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Kalkaska), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding46 households applied for aid$261K aid approved
Kalkaska County has had 4 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Kalkaska after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kalkaska archive →Get ready for what Kalkaska 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 Kalkaska
Is Kalkaska at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kalkaska has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Kalkaska 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 Kalkaska County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Kalkaska?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kalkaska’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 Kalkaska?
By FEMA money that reached Kalkaska, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 46 households applied for aid, $261K approved.
Is Kalkaska at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Kalkaska’s rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kalkaska.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kalkaska’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.