Photo: No machine-readable author provided. LilDice assumed (based on copyright claims). · CC BY-SA 2.5On FEMA’s figures, Mason faces less hazard damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mason gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #196 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then tornadoes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 14 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 Mason 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
Hail
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 Mason’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mason, and Mason’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 23%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A #196 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mason’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, Mason has less expected damage per building than 72% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Mason: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mason flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mason, from FEMA’s records: 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $22K
Mason 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mason
Disasters that paid out in Mason itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mason), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding55 households applied for aid$24K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$21K to the City of Mason for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$13K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Snow$4K to the City of Mason for repairs
Ingham County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Mason after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mason archive →Mason and its neighbors
Mason 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaiedon Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Mason | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Vevay Township | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Mason 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Mason
Is Mason at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mason has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #196 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and tornadoes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mason flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Mason since 1979, $94K in all, or 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is Mason 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 Mason?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mason’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 Mason?
By FEMA money that reached Mason, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2023): 55 households applied for aid, $24K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $22K.
Is Mason at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Mason’s rate for it is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mason.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mason’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.