Photo: O. David Redwine · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Midland faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Midland gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #607 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 409 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 stands out about Midland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Midland 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
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 Midland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Midland, and Midland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #607 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Midland’s residents live in 15 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, Midland has more expected damage per building than 87% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $17.3M a year in losses across Midland: $12.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Midland flood? Yes: 409 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Midland, from FEMA’s records: 21.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Midland is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Midland County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Midland
Disasters that paid out in Midland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Midland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms and Flooding1,330 households applied for aid$11.3M aid approved$4.1M to the City of Midland for repairs201 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms and Flooding1,108 households applied for aid$2.7M aid approved127 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Flooding$80K to the City of Midland for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Snow$30K to the City of Midland for repairs
Midland County has had 10 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 Midland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Midland archive →Midland and its neighbors
Midland is 4th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larkin Township | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lincoln Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Williams Township | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Midland | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 409 |
| Midland Township | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Ingersoll Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Homer Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
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 Midland 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.
- 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.
- Midland residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Midland
Is Midland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Midland has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #607 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Midland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 409 claims in Midland since 1986, $24.4M in all, or 21.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 107 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Midland 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 Midland County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Midland?
Midland is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Midland?
By FEMA money that reached Midland, Severe Storms and Flooding (2020): 1,330 households applied for aid, $11.3M approved, and $4.1M to the City of Midland for repairs.
Is Midland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Midland’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Midland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Midland’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.