Wolcott Mill · Photo: Andrew Jameson · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Ray Township as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ray Township gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #621 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). 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 Ray 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 Ray Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ray Township, and Ray Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #621 of 701 in Michigan; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Ray Township’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, Ray Township has more expected damage per building than 89% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Ray Township: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ray Township flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Ray Township. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Ray 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: Macomb County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ray Township
Disasters that paid out in Ray Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Ray Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
Macomb County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Ray Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ray Township archive →Ray Township and its neighbors
Ray 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Township | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lenox Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Armada Township | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Ray Township | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Macomb Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
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 Ray 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 Ray Township
Is Ray Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ray Township has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #621 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (10%). 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 Ray 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 Macomb County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ray Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ray 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 Ray Township?
By FEMA money that reached Ray Township, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2004): 5 households applied for aid, $7K approved.
Is Ray Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Ray Township’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ray Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ray 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.