Photo: bigmikesndtech · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts Muskegon’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Muskegon gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #42 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then strong wind (11%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1985.
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 Muskegon’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Muskegon 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
Strong wind
Tornadoes
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 Muskegon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Muskegon, and Muskegon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 11%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #42 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Muskegon’s residents live in 12 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, Muskegon has less expected damage per building than 94% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.3M a year in losses across Muskegon: $4.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Muskegon flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Muskegon, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Muskegon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Muskegon County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Muskegon
Disasters that paid out in Muskegon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Muskegon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding218 households applied for aid$709K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding47 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2000Snow$14K to the City of Muskegon for repairs
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$28K to the City of Muskegon for repairs
Muskegon County has had 11 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 Muskegon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Muskegon archive →Muskegon and its neighbors
Muskegon has the lowest expected damage per building of the 7 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muskegon | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| North Muskegon | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Laketon Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Norton Shores | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Muskegon Township | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Muskegon Heights | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fruitport Township | Aless damage than 85% | 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 Muskegon 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- 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 Muskegon
Is Muskegon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Muskegon has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #42 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and strong wind (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Muskegon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Muskegon since 1985, $223K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Muskegon 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 Muskegon County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Muskegon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Muskegon’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 Muskegon?
By FEMA money that reached Muskegon, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 218 households applied for aid, $709K approved.
Is Muskegon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Muskegon’s rate for it is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Muskegon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Muskegon’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.