Photo: Traveler100 · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Romulus than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Romulus gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #57 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Romulus 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 Romulus’ grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Romulus, and Romulus’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts).
A #57 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Romulus’ residents live in 9 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, Romulus has less expected damage per building than 92% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.9M a year in losses across Romulus: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Romulus flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2014
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Romulus, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Romulus 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 Romulus
Disasters that paid out in Romulus itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Romulus), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1,055 households applied for aid$2.6M aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes251 households applied for aid$366K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding252 households applied for aid$189K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding195 households applied for aid$105K aid approved
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$28K to the City of Romulus 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 Romulus after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Romulus archive →Romulus and its neighbors
Romulus has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Romulus | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Wayne | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Huron Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Van Buren Township | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Taylor | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
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 Romulus 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 Romulus
Is Romulus at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Romulus has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #57 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Romulus flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Romulus since 2014, $23K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Romulus 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 Romulus?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Romulus’ 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 Romulus?
By FEMA money that reached Romulus, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2023): 1,055 households applied for aid, $2.6M approved.
Is Romulus at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Romulus’ rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Romulus.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Romulus’ 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.