Photo: Andrew Martin · CC BY 3.0Lansing’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lansing gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #570 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 103 claims here since 1979.
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 stands out about Lansing’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lansing 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 Lansing’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lansing, and Lansing’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B #570 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lansing’s residents live in 46 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, Lansing has more expected damage per building than 81% of Michigan towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Lansing has lower expected damage per building than 71% (#116 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $28.9M, is the 359th largest of those 400.
Does Lansing flood? Yes: 103 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lansing, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Lansing isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ingham County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lansing
Disasters that paid out in Lansing itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lansing), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding896 households applied for aid$970K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$745K to the City of Lansing for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$388K to the City of Lansing for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding448 households applied for aid$281K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Snow$77K to the City of Lansing for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Its 2 counties have had 12 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 Lansing after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lansing archive →Lansing and its neighbors
Lansing is 6th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Township | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Lansing Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| DeWitt Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Delhi Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| East Lansing | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Lansing | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 103 |
| Windsor Township | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
| Okemos | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Edgemont Park | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Holt | — | 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 Lansing 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 Lansing
Is Lansing at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lansing has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #570 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lansing flood?
Flood insurance has paid 103 claims in Lansing since 1979, $511K in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Lansing 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 Ingham County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lansing?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lansing’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 Lansing?
By FEMA money that reached Lansing, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2023): 896 households applied for aid, $970K approved.
Is Lansing at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Lansing’s rate for it is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lansing.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lansing’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.