On FEMA’s figures, North Muskegon faces less hazard damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Muskegon gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #80 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2018.
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 North 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 North Muskegon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Muskegon, and North Muskegon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 9%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
A #80 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of North Muskegon’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Michigan town has lower expected damage than 77% of U.S. towns; within the state, North Muskegon has less expected damage per building than 89% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $695K a year in losses across North Muskegon: $562K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Muskegon flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Muskegon, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
North 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Muskegon
Disasters that paid out in North Muskegon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of North Muskegon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2000Snow$3K to the City of North Muskegon for repairs
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$7K to the City of North 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 North Muskegon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Muskegon archive →North Muskegon and its neighbors
North Muskegon is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Muskegon Township | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 North 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 North Muskegon
Is North Muskegon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Muskegon has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #80 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and strong wind (9%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Muskegon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in North Muskegon since 2018, $118K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is North 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 North Muskegon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North 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 North Muskegon?
By FEMA money that reached North Muskegon, Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99 (1999): $7K to the City of North Muskegon for repairs.
Is North Muskegon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and North Muskegon’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Muskegon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North 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.