Photo: Dave Parker · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Plymouth than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plymouth gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #10 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1990.
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 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’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Plymouth, and Plymouth’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #10 of 701 in Michigan; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Plymouth’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, Plymouth has less expected damage per building than 99% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Plymouth: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Plymouth flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Plymouth, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Plymouth 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Plymouth
Disasters that paid out in Plymouth itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Plymouth), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding57 households applied for aid$144K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes39 households applied for aid$3K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding13 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$4K to the City of Plymouth for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$9K to the City of Plymouth 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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Plymouth archive →Get ready for what Plymouth 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
Is Plymouth at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plymouth has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #10 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Plymouth flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Plymouth since 1990, $301K in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Plymouth 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?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Plymouth’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?
By FEMA money that reached Plymouth, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2023): 57 households applied for aid, $144K approved.
Is Plymouth at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Plymouth’s rate for it is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Plymouth.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Plymouth’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.