St. Clair River Tunnel · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Port Huron than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Huron gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #679 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 20 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 Port Huron 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 Port Huron’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Port Huron, and Port Huron’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 3%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C #679 of 701 in Michigan; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Port Huron’s residents live in 11 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, Port Huron has more expected damage per building than 97% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.4M a year in losses across Port Huron: $7.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Port Huron flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Port Huron, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Port Huron isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Clair County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Port Huron
Disasters that paid out in Port Huron itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Port Huron), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding128 households applied for aid$208K aid approved
- 2000Snow$43K to the City of Port Huron for repairs
St. Clair County has had 8 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 Port Huron after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Port Huron archive →Port Huron and its neighbors
Port Huron is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marysville | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Fort Gratiot Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Port Huron Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Port Huron | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
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 Port Huron 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 Port Huron
Is Port Huron at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Huron has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #679 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and tornadoes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Port Huron flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Port Huron since 1981, $220K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Port Huron 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 St. Clair County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Port Huron?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Port Huron’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 Port Huron?
By FEMA money that reached Port Huron, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2004): 128 households applied for aid, $208K approved.
Is Port Huron at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Port Huron’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Port Huron.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Port Huron’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.