Photo: Andrew Jameson · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Pleasant Ridge faces less hazard damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pleasant Ridge gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #342 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (17%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Pleasant Ridge 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 Pleasant Ridge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pleasant Ridge, and Pleasant Ridge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 17% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #342 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Pleasant Ridge’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, Pleasant Ridge has less expected damage per building than 51% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $793K a year in losses across Pleasant Ridge: $529K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pleasant Ridge flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Pleasant Ridge. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Pleasant Ridge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Oakland County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pleasant Ridge
Disasters that paid out in Pleasant Ridge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pleasant Ridge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding83 households applied for aid$94K aid approved$11K to the City of Pleasant Ridge for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$955 aid approved
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$4K to the City of Pleasant Ridge for repairs
Oakland County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Pleasant Ridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pleasant Ridge archive →Pleasant Ridge and its neighbors
Pleasant Ridge is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferndale | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Pleasant Ridge | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
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 Pleasant Ridge 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 Pleasant Ridge
Is Pleasant Ridge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pleasant Ridge has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #342 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (17%). 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.
Is Pleasant Ridge 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 Oakland County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pleasant Ridge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pleasant Ridge’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 Pleasant Ridge?
By FEMA money that reached Pleasant Ridge, Severe Storms and Flooding (2014): 83 households applied for aid, $94K approved, and $11K to the City of Pleasant Ridge for repairs.
Is Pleasant Ridge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Pleasant Ridge’s rate for it is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pleasant Ridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pleasant Ridge’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.