Photo: Todd Van Hoosear · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Petoskey, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Petoskey gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #3 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2014.
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 Petoskey 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
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 Petoskey’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Petoskey, and Petoskey’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #3 of 701 in Michigan; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Petoskey’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, Petoskey has less expected damage per building than 100% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Petoskey: $733K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Petoskey flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2014
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Petoskey, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Petoskey isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Emmet County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Petoskey
Disasters that paid out in Petoskey itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Petoskey), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding38 households applied for aid$235K aid approved
- 2025Severe Winter Storm$956K to the City of Petoskey for repairs
Emmet County has had 4 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Petoskey after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Petoskey archive →Petoskey and its neighbors
Petoskey has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petoskey | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Resort Township | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | — |
| Bear Creek Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Bay Shore | — | 697 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Bay View | — | 164 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 Petoskey 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.
- 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 Petoskey
Is Petoskey at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Petoskey has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #3 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Petoskey flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Petoskey since 2014, $14K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Petoskey 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 Emmet County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Petoskey?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Petoskey’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 Petoskey?
By FEMA money that reached Petoskey, Severe Winter Storm (2025): $956K to the City of Petoskey for repairs.
Is Petoskey at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Petoskey’s rate for it is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Petoskey.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Petoskey’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.