S.S. BADGER (carferry) · Photo: Lynnewu · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Ludington than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ludington gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #6 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2019.
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 Ludington’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ludington 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
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 Ludington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ludington, and Ludington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Next is strong wind at 8% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #6 of 701 in Michigan; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ludington’s residents live in 4 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, Ludington has less expected damage per building than 99% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Ludington: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ludington flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2019
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ludington, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ludington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mason County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Ludington
Disasters that paid out in Ludington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ludington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$47K to the City of Ludington for repairs
Mason County has had 6 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 Ludington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ludington archive →Ludington and its neighbors
Ludington has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ludington | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Pere Marquette Township | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Ludington 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.
- 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 Ludington
Is Ludington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ludington has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #6 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and strong wind (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ludington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Ludington since 2019, $49K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Ludington 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 Mason County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ludington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ludington’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 Ludington?
By FEMA money that reached Ludington, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): $47K to the City of Ludington for repairs.
Is Ludington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Ludington’s rate for it is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ludington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ludington’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.