FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Riverview than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Riverview gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #106 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2014.
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 Riverview 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 Riverview’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Riverview, and Riverview’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 7% (higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts).
A #106 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Riverview’s residents live in 4 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, Riverview has less expected damage per building than 85% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Riverview: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Riverview flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2014
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Riverview, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Riverview 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 Riverview
Disasters that paid out in Riverview itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Riverview), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding63 households applied for aid$82K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes9 households applied for aid$450 aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding101 households applied for aid$74K aid approved$27K to the City of Riverview for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$11K to the City of Riverview 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 Riverview after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Riverview archive →Riverview and its neighbors
Riverview has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverview | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Brownstown Township | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 65 |
| Trenton | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Grosse Ile Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
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 Riverview 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 Riverview
Is Riverview at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Riverview has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #106 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Riverview flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Riverview since 2014, $7K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Riverview 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 Riverview?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Riverview’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 Riverview?
By FEMA money that reached Riverview, Severe Storms and Flooding (2014): 101 households applied for aid, $74K approved, and $27K to the City of Riverview for repairs.
Is Riverview at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Riverview’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Riverview.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Riverview’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.