FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Lake Township than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #96 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then strong wind (10%). 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 Lake 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
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 Lake Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lake Township, and Lake Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 10%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
A #96 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lake 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, Lake Township has less expected damage per building than 86% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $897K a year in losses across Lake Township: $561K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lake Township flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Lake Township. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
The storms Lake Township remembers
None of the 4 disasters declared for Missaukee County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Lake Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
Missaukee County has had 4 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.
Lake Township and its neighbors
Lake Township is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haring Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Caldwell Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lake Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Richland Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Reeder Township | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lake City | — | 705 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 Lake 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.
- 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 Lake Township
Is Lake Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Township has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #96 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and strong wind (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Lake 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.
How much is flood insurance in Lake Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lake Township’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Lake Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Lake Township’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lake Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lake 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.