Photo: F. D. Richards from Clinton, MI · CC BY-SA 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Sturgis than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sturgis gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #36 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then hail (13%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Sturgis 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
Hail
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
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 Sturgis’ grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sturgis, and Sturgis’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hail at 13% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #36 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sturgis’ residents live in 6 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, Sturgis has less expected damage per building than 95% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Sturgis: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sturgis flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Sturgis. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Sturgis isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Joseph County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sturgis
Disasters that paid out in Sturgis itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sturgis), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2000Snow$6K to the City of Sturgis for repairs
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$11K to the City of Sturgis for repairs
St. Joseph County has had 5 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Sturgis after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sturgis archive →Sturgis and its neighbors
Sturgis has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sturgis | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Sturgis Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fawn River Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Sherman Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Burr Oak Township | A−less damage than 76% | 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 Sturgis 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Sturgis
Is Sturgis at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sturgis has lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #36 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and hail (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Sturgis 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 St. Joseph County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sturgis?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sturgis’ 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 Sturgis?
By FEMA money that reached Sturgis, Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99 (1999): $11K to the City of Sturgis for repairs.
Is Sturgis at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Sturgis’ rate for it is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sturgis.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sturgis’ 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.