Photo: Lrgjr72 · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Madison Heights than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Madison Heights gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #386 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Madison Heights 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
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 Madison Heights’ grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Madison Heights, and Madison Heights’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 16% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #386 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Madison Heights’ residents live in 7 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, Madison Heights has more expected damage per building than 55% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.8M a year in losses across Madison Heights: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Madison Heights flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Madison Heights, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Madison Heights isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Oakland County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Madison Heights
Disasters that paid out in Madison Heights itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Madison Heights), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding114 households applied for aid$270K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes32 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding1,958 households applied for aid$2.7M aid approved$429K to the City of Madison Heights for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2000Snow$20K to the City of Madison Heights for repairs
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$35K to the City of Madison Heights for repairs
Oakland County has had 11 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 Madison Heights after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Madison Heights archive →Madison Heights and its neighbors
Madison Heights 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Troy | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Hazel Park | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Madison Heights | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Royal Oak | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Warren | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
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 Madison Heights 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.
- 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 Madison Heights
Is Madison Heights at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Madison Heights has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #386 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Madison Heights flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Madison Heights since 1981, $9K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Madison Heights 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 Oakland County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Madison Heights?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Madison Heights’ 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 Madison Heights?
By FEMA money that reached Madison Heights, Severe Storms and Flooding (2014): 1,958 households applied for aid, $2.7M approved, and $429K to the City of Madison Heights for repairs.
Is Madison Heights at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Madison Heights’ rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Madison Heights.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Madison Heights’ 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.