FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Newaygo than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newaygo gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #466 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 10 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 Newaygo 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
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 Newaygo’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Newaygo, and Newaygo’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 9%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #466 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Newaygo’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, Newaygo has more expected damage per building than 66% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $681K a year in losses across Newaygo: $509K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Newaygo flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Newaygo, from FEMA’s records: 9.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-04-Flooding1 claim · $41K
Newaygo isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Newaygo County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Newaygo
Disasters that paid out in Newaygo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Newaygo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding16 households applied for aid$130K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$230 aid approved
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$2K to the City of Newaygo for repairs
Newaygo County has had 10 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 Newaygo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Newaygo archive →Newaygo and its neighbors
Newaygo 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brooks Township | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Garfield Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Newaygo | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
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 Newaygo 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.
- 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 Newaygo
Is Newaygo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newaygo has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #466 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and strong wind (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Newaygo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Newaygo since 1986, $213K in all, or 9.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2026-04-Flooding (1).
Is Newaygo 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 Newaygo County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Newaygo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Newaygo’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 Newaygo?
By FEMA money that reached Newaygo, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 16 households applied for aid, $130K approved. By flood claims, 2026-04-Flooding: 1 paid, $41K.
Is Newaygo at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Newaygo’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Newaygo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Newaygo’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.