FEMA puts Keego Harbor’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Keego Harbor gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #350 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2000.
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 Keego Harbor 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 Keego Harbor’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Keego Harbor, and Keego Harbor’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 18% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #350 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Keego Harbor’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Michigan town has lower expected damage than 77% of U.S. towns; within the state, Keego Harbor has less expected damage per building than 50% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $764K a year in losses across Keego Harbor: $476K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Keego Harbor flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2000
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Keego Harbor, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Keego Harbor 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Keego Harbor
Disasters that paid out in Keego Harbor itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Keego Harbor), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$5K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$663 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Snow$2K to the City of Keego Harbor for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$3K to the City of Keego Harbor 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 Keego Harbor after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Keego Harbor archive →Keego Harbor and its neighbors
Keego Harbor is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orchard Lake Village | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| West Bloomfield Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Keego Harbor | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Keego Harbor 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 Keego Harbor
Is Keego Harbor at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Keego Harbor has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #350 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (18%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Keego Harbor flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Keego Harbor since 2000, $36K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Keego Harbor 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 Keego Harbor?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Keego Harbor’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 Keego Harbor?
By FEMA money that reached Keego Harbor, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2023): 6 households applied for aid, $7K approved.
Is Keego Harbor at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Keego Harbor’s rate for it is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Keego Harbor.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Keego Harbor’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.