Photo: TCP04 · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Manistee than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manistee gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #667 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims 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 Manistee 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
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 Manistee’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in Manistee, and Manistee’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #667 of 701 in Michigan; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Manistee’s residents live in 3 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, Manistee has more expected damage per building than 95% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Manistee: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Manistee flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Manistee, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Manistee isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Manistee County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Manistee
Disasters that paid out in Manistee itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Manistee), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$44K aid approved$24K to the City of Manistee for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$534K to the City of Manistee for repairs
Manistee County has had 5 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 Manistee after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Manistee archive →Manistee and its neighbors
Manistee is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manistee Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Manistee | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Filer Township | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Stronach Township | — | 957 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Eastlake | — | 318 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 Manistee 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.
- 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 Manistee
Is Manistee at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manistee has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #667 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Manistee flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Manistee since 1981, $46K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Manistee 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 Manistee County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Manistee?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Manistee’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 Manistee?
By FEMA money that reached Manistee, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): $534K to the City of Manistee for repairs.
Is Manistee at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and Manistee’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Manistee.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Manistee’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.