FEMA puts Putnam Township’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Putnam Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #507 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2006.
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 Putnam 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
Strong wind
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 Putnam Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Putnam Township, and Putnam Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 9%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #507 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Putnam Township’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, Putnam Township has more expected damage per building than 72% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Putnam Township: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Putnam Township flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Putnam Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Putnam 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: Livingston County.The storms Putnam Township remembers
None of the 5 disasters declared for Livingston County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Putnam Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20072 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20061 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20091 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Livingston County has had 5 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Putnam Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Putnam Township archive →Putnam Township and its neighbors
Putnam Township is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marion Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Unadilla Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hamburg Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 53 |
| Putnam Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Dexter Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Putnam 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Putnam Township
Is Putnam Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Putnam Township has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #507 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Putnam Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Putnam Township since 2006, $72K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Putnam 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 Livingston County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Putnam Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Putnam Township’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Putnam Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Putnam Township’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Putnam Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Putnam 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.