More hazard damage per building is expected in Sumner Township than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sumner Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then strong wind (10%). 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 Sumner 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
Strong wind
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 Sumner Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sumner Township, and Sumner Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 10%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sumner Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $693K a year in losses across Sumner Township: $498K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sumner Township flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Sumner Township. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Sumner 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: Gratiot County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Sumner Township
Disasters that paid out in Sumner Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Sumner Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
Gratiot County has had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Sumner Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sumner Township archive →Sumner Township and its neighbors
Sumner Township is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferris Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Arcada Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Sumner Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Seville Township | Cmore damage than 66% | 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 Sumner 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Sumner Township
Is Sumner Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sumner Township has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and strong wind (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Sumner 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 Gratiot County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sumner Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sumner 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 Sumner Township?
By FEMA money that reached Sumner Township, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 2 households applied for aid, $7K approved.
Is Sumner Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Sumner Township’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sumner Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sumner 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.