Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Saline faces less hazard damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Saline gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #241 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1980.
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 Saline 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 Saline’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Saline, and Saline’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #241 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Saline’s residents live in 2 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, Saline has less expected damage per building than 66% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Saline: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Saline flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Saline, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Saline isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washtenaw County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Saline
Disasters that paid out in Saline itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Saline), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes32 households applied for aid$836 aid approved
- 2000Snow$9K to the City of Saline for repairs
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$11K to the City of Saline for repairs
Washtenaw County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Saline after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Saline archive →Saline and its neighbors
Saline 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsfield Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Saline Township | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lodi Township | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Saline | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| York Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Saline 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 Saline
Is Saline at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Saline has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #241 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Saline flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Saline since 1980, $3K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Saline 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 Washtenaw County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Saline?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Saline’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 Saline?
By FEMA money that reached Saline, Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99 (1999): $11K to the City of Saline for repairs.
Is Saline at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Saline’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Saline.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Saline’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.