On FEMA’s figures, Mattawan faces less hazard damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mattawan gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #496 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then hail (22%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2018.
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 Mattawan 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
Hail
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 Mattawan’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mattawan, and Mattawan’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 22%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #496 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mattawan’s residents live in 2 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, Mattawan has more expected damage per building than 71% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $722K a year in losses across Mattawan: $557K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mattawan flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mattawan, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Mattawan isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Van Buren County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mattawan
Disasters that paid out in Mattawan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Mattawan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2000Snow$890 to the Village of Mattawan for repairs
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$1K to the Village of Mattawan for repairs
Van Buren County has had 10 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Mattawan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mattawan archive →Mattawan and its neighbors
Mattawan is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Township | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Antwerp Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Mattawan | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Mattawan 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.
- 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.
- 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 Mattawan
Is Mattawan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mattawan has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #496 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and hail (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mattawan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Mattawan since 2018, $22K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Mattawan 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 Van Buren County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mattawan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mattawan’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 Mattawan?
By FEMA money that reached Mattawan, Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99 (1999): $1K to the Village of Mattawan for repairs.
Is Mattawan at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Mattawan’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mattawan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mattawan’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.