Photo: Aaron Smith · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Three Rivers faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Three Rivers gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #573 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 58 claims here since 1978.
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 Three Rivers 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
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 Three Rivers’ grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Three Rivers, and Three Rivers’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hail at 7% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
B #573 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Three Rivers’ residents live in 5 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, Three Rivers has more expected damage per building than 82% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Three Rivers: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Three Rivers flood? Sometimes: 58 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Three Rivers, from FEMA’s records: 16.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike3 claims · $13K
Three Rivers 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 Three Rivers
Disasters that paid out in Three Rivers itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Three Rivers), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2000Snow$4K to the City of Three Rivers for repairs
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$10K to the City of Three Rivers 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 Three Rivers after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Three Rivers archive →Three Rivers and its neighbors
Three Rivers 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fabius Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Three Rivers | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 58 |
| Lockport Township | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Three Rivers 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.
- 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 Three Rivers
Is Three Rivers at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Three Rivers has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #573 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and hail (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Three Rivers flood?
Flood insurance has paid 58 claims in Three Rivers since 1978, $1.2M in all, or 16.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (3).
Is Three Rivers 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 Three Rivers?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Three Rivers’ 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 Three Rivers?
By FEMA money that reached Three Rivers, Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99 (1999): $10K to the City of Three Rivers for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 3 paid, $13K.
Is Three Rivers at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Three Rivers’ rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Three Rivers.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Three Rivers’ 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.