FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Selma Township than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Selma Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). 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 Selma Township 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
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 Selma Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Selma Township, and Selma Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Selma Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $772K a year in losses across Selma Township: $532K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Selma Township flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2014
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Selma Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-04-Flooding1 claim · $7K
Selma Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wexford County.The storms Selma Township remembers
None of the 4 disasters declared for Wexford County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Selma Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20141 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20261 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared for Wexford County
Wexford County has had 4 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 Selma Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Selma Township archive →Selma Township and its neighbors
Selma Township is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haring Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Cherry Grove Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Selma Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Boon Township | — | 730 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Colfax Township | — | 738 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Selma Township 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.
- 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 Selma Township
Is Selma Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Selma Township has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Selma Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Selma Township since 2014, $14K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2026-04-Flooding (1).
Is Selma Township 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 Wexford County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Selma Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Selma Township’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 Selma Township?
By flood claims, 2026-04-Flooding: 1 paid, $7K.
Is Selma Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Selma Township’s rate for it is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Selma Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Selma Township’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.