Photo: Matthew Lampe · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Linden than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Linden gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #490 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (15%). 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 Linden 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 Linden’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Linden, and Linden’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #490 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Linden’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, Linden has more expected damage per building than 70% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Linden: $756K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Linden flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Linden. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Linden isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Genesee County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Linden
Disasters that paid out in Linden itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Linden), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2000Snow$3K to the City of Linden for repairs
Genesee County has had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Linden after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Linden archive →Get ready for what Linden 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 Linden
Is Linden at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Linden has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #490 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (15%). 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.
Is Linden 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 Genesee County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Linden?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Linden’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 Linden?
By FEMA money that reached Linden, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2004): 8 households applied for aid, $7K approved.
Is Linden at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Linden’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Linden.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Linden’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.