Photo: Dave Parker · CC BY 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Plymouth Township than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plymouth Township gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #20 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1981.
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 Plymouth 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
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 Plymouth Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Plymouth Township, and Plymouth Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #20 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Plymouth Township’s residents live in 7 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, Plymouth Township has less expected damage per building than 97% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.3M a year in losses across Plymouth Township: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Plymouth Township flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Plymouth Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Plymouth 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: Wayne County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Plymouth Township
Disasters that paid out in Plymouth Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Plymouth Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$19K to Plymouth Township for repairs
Wayne County has had 13 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 Plymouth Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Plymouth Township archive →Plymouth Township and its neighbors
Plymouth Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plymouth Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Northville Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Livonia | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Canton Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
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 Plymouth 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.
- 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 Plymouth Township
Is Plymouth Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plymouth Township has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #20 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Plymouth Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Plymouth Township since 1981, $347K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Plymouth 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 Wayne County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Plymouth Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Plymouth 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 Plymouth Township?
By FEMA money that reached Plymouth Township, Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99 (1999): $19K to Plymouth Township for repairs.
Is Plymouth Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Plymouth Township’s rate for it is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Plymouth Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Plymouth 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.