West Jefferson Avenue-Rouge River Bridge · Photo: Andrew Jameson · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, River Rouge faces less hazard damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, River Rouge gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #488 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1979.
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 River Rouge 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 River Rouge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in River Rouge, and River Rouge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #488 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
River Rouge’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, River Rouge has more expected damage per building than 70% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across River Rouge: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does River Rouge flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in River Rouge, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
River Rouge 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 River Rouge
Disasters that paid out in River Rouge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of River Rouge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding507 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes281 households applied for aid$431K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding318 households applied for aid$358K aid approved$16K to the City of River Rouge for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding267 households applied for aid$56K aid approved
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$19K to the City of River Rouge 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 River Rouge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the River Rouge archive →River Rouge and its neighbors
River Rouge is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 River Rouge 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 River Rouge
Is River Rouge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, River Rouge has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #488 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does River Rouge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in River Rouge since 1979, $378 in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is River Rouge 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 River Rouge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for River Rouge’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 River Rouge?
By FEMA money that reached River Rouge, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2023): 507 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved.
Is River Rouge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and River Rouge’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in River Rouge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where River Rouge’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.