Photo: Gpwitteveen · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Kentwood than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kentwood gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #91 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1981.
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 Kentwood 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 Kentwood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kentwood, and Kentwood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 19% (higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
A #91 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kentwood’s residents live in 16 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, Kentwood has less expected damage per building than 87% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.7M a year in losses across Kentwood: $6.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kentwood flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kentwood, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Kentwood isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kent County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kentwood
Disasters that paid out in Kentwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kentwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding31 households applied for aid$7K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Flooding$14K to the City of Kentwood for repairs
- 2000Snow$17K to the City of Kentwood for repairs
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$13K to the City of Kentwood for repairs
Kent County has had 10 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 Kentwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kentwood archive →Kentwood and its neighbors
Kentwood is 3rd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids Township | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Gaines Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Kentwood | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Wyoming | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 69 |
| Cascade Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Ada Township | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Grand Rapids | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
| Forest Hills | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Kentwood 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 Kentwood
Is Kentwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kentwood has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #91 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kentwood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Kentwood since 1981, $2K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Kentwood 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 Kent County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Kentwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kentwood’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 Kentwood?
By FEMA money that reached Kentwood, Snow (2000): $17K to the City of Kentwood for repairs.
Is Kentwood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Kentwood’s rate for it is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kentwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kentwood’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.