Photo: TenPoundHammer · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Tawas City than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tawas City gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1980.
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 Tawas City 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 Tawas City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tawas City, and Tawas City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
A lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tawas City’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $633K a year in losses across Tawas City: $457K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tawas City flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tawas City, from FEMA’s records: 7.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Tawas City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Iosco County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tawas City
Disasters that paid out in Tawas City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Tawas City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2020Severe Storms and Flooding62 households applied for aid$249K aid approved$60K to the City of Tawas City for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$3K to the City of Tawas City for repairs
Iosco County has had 8 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 Tawas City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tawas City archive →Tawas City and its neighbors
Tawas City is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baldwin Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Tawas City | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Tawas Township | A−less damage than 79% | 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 Tawas City 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 Tawas City
Is Tawas City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tawas City has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Tawas City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Tawas City since 1980, $87K in all, or 7.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Tawas City 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 Iosco County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Tawas City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tawas City’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 Tawas City?
By FEMA money that reached Tawas City, Severe Storms and Flooding (2020): 62 households applied for aid, $249K approved, and $60K to the City of Tawas City for repairs.
Is Tawas City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Tawas City’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tawas City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tawas City’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.