More hazard damage per building is expected in McKinley Township than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McKinley Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1986.
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 McKinley Township 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 McKinley Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 98% of the building damage FEMA expects in McKinley Township, and McKinley Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
McKinley Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $595K a year in losses across McKinley Township: $418K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does McKinley Township flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in McKinley Township, from FEMA’s records: 15.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
McKinley Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Emmet County.The storms McKinley Township remembers
None of the 4 disasters declared for Emmet County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching McKinley Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19867 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19871 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20201 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Emmet County has had 4 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 McKinley Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the McKinley Township archive →McKinley Township and its neighbors
McKinley Township is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maple River Township | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
| McKinley Township | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Center Township | — | 522 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Carp Lake Township | — | 653 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Munro Township | — | 625 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 McKinley Township 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 McKinley Township
Is McKinley Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McKinley Township has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does McKinley Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in McKinley Township since 1986, $33K in all, or 15.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is McKinley Township 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 Emmet County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in McKinley Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for McKinley Township’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is McKinley Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (98%), and McKinley Township’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in McKinley Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where McKinley Township’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.