Photo: WeaponizingArchitecture · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Saginaw than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Saginaw gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #665 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 94 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Saginaw’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Saginaw 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 Saginaw’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Saginaw, and Saginaw’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #665 of 701 in Michigan; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Saginaw’s residents live in 20 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, Saginaw has more expected damage per building than 95% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.5M a year in losses across Saginaw: $10.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Saginaw flood? Sometimes: 94 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Saginaw, from FEMA’s records: 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Saginaw isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Saginaw County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Saginaw
Disasters that paid out in Saginaw itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Saginaw), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7,685 households applied for aid$32.8M aid approved
- 2020Severe Storms and Flooding1,664 households applied for aid$5.1M aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding514 households applied for aid$165K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
Saginaw County has had 15 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 Saginaw after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Saginaw archive →Saginaw and its neighbors
Saginaw is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buena Vista Township | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Bridgeport Township | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Saginaw | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 94 |
| Spaulding Township | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 62 |
| Carrollton Township | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| James Township | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| Saginaw Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Saginaw 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 Saginaw
Is Saginaw at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Saginaw has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #665 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Saginaw flood?
Flood insurance has paid 94 claims in Saginaw since 1978, $1.3M in all, or 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Saginaw 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 Saginaw County, 1.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Saginaw?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Saginaw’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 Saginaw?
By FEMA money that reached Saginaw, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 7,685 households applied for aid, $32.8M approved.
Is Saginaw at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Saginaw’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Saginaw.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Saginaw’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.