Less hazard damage per building is expected in Norman Township than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norman Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2008.
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 Norman 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 Norman Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Norman Township, and Norman Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Norman Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $549K a year in losses across Norman Township: $399K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Norman Township flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Norman Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Norman 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: Manistee County.The storms Norman Township remembers
None of the 5 disasters declared for Manistee County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Norman Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20081 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared for Manistee County
Manistee County has had 5 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 Norman Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Norman Township archive →Norman Township and its neighbors
Norman Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norman Township | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Elk Township | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Dickson Township | — | 922 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Stronach Township | — | 957 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| South Branch Township | — | 285 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Eden Township | — | 351 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 Norman 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 Norman Township
Is Norman Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norman Township has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Norman Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Norman Township since 2008, $31K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Norman 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 Manistee County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Norman Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Norman Township’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Norman Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Norman Township’s rate for it is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Norman Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Norman 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.