Michigan Central Railroad Standish Depot · Photo: Ian Poellet (User:Werewombat) · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Standish than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Standish gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1996.
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 Standish’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Standish 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 Standish’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Standish, and Standish’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Standish’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $580K a year in losses across Standish: $405K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Standish flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Standish, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Standish isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Arenac County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Standish
Disasters that paid out in Standish itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Standish), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms and Flooding101 households applied for aid$353K aid approved
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$3K to the City of Standish for repairs
Arenac County has had 8 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 Standish after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Standish archive →Standish and its neighbors
Standish has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standish | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Lincoln Township | — | 836 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Standish 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 Standish 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 Standish
Is Standish at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Standish has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (12%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Standish flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Standish since 1996, $8K in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Standish 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 Arenac County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Standish?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Standish’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 Standish?
By FEMA money that reached Standish, Severe Storms and Flooding (2020): 101 households applied for aid, $353K approved.
Is Standish at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Standish’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Standish.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Standish’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.