Cooke Hydroelectric Plant · Photo: Wikiskier1131992 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Oscoda Township than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oscoda Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #265 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 8 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 Oscoda 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 Oscoda Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oscoda Township, and Oscoda Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #265 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oscoda Township’s residents live in 5 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, Oscoda Township has less expected damage per building than 62% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Oscoda Township: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oscoda Township flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oscoda Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-04-Flooding3 claims · $29K
Oscoda 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: Iosco County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Oscoda Township
Disasters that paid out in Oscoda Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Oscoda Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding39 households applied for aid$306K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
Iosco County has had 8 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 Oscoda Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oscoda Township archive →Oscoda Township and its neighbors
Oscoda Township is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plainfield Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 168 |
| Greenbush Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Oscoda Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Curtis Township | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Au Sable Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Mikado Township | — | 766 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Wilber Township | — | 732 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 Oscoda 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 Oscoda Township
Is Oscoda Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oscoda Township has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #265 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oscoda Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Oscoda Township since 1986, $74K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2026-04-Flooding (3).
Is Oscoda 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 Iosco County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Oscoda Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oscoda Township’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 Oscoda Township?
By FEMA money that reached Oscoda Township, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 39 households applied for aid, $306K approved. By flood claims, 2026-04-Flooding: 3 paid, $29K.
Is Oscoda Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Oscoda Township’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oscoda Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oscoda 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.