Photo: Dave Parker · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Southfield’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Southfield gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #148 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 19 claims here since 1981.
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 Southfield 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 Southfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Southfield, and Southfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 21% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
A #148 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Southfield’s residents live in 23 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, Southfield has less expected damage per building than 79% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $20.4M a year in losses across Southfield: $12.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Southfield flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Southfield, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Southfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Oakland County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Southfield
Disasters that paid out in Southfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Southfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3,409 households applied for aid$10.2M aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes677 households applied for aid$763K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding1,722 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding836 households applied for aid$282K aid approved
Oakland County has had 11 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 Southfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Southfield archive →Southfield and its neighbors
Southfield is 3rd of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bingham Farms | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Franklin | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Southfield | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Farmington Hills | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 88 |
| Southfield Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Detroit | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 379 |
| Beverly Hills | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Oak Park | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 Southfield 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 Southfield
Is Southfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Southfield has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #148 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Southfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Southfield since 1981, $91K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Southfield 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 Oakland County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Southfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Southfield’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 Southfield?
By FEMA money that reached Southfield, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2023): 3,409 households applied for aid, $10.2M approved.
Is Southfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Southfield’s rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Southfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Southfield’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.