Photo: rossograph · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Traverse City, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Traverse City gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #5 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1981.
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 Traverse City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Traverse 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
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 Traverse City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Traverse City, and Traverse City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts. Next is strong wind at 6% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #5 of 701 in Michigan; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Traverse City’s residents live in 9 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, Traverse City has less expected damage per building than 99% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across Traverse City: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Traverse City flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Traverse City, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-04-Flooding2 claims · $10K
Traverse 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: Grand Traverse County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Traverse City
Disasters that paid out in Traverse City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Traverse City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding74 households applied for aid$508K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Grand Traverse County has had 3 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Traverse City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Traverse City archive →Traverse City and its neighbors
Traverse City 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traverse City | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Garfield Township | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| East Bay Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Peninsula Township | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Elmwood Township | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Greilickville | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Traverse 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.
- 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 Traverse City
Is Traverse City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Traverse City has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #5 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and strong wind (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Traverse City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Traverse City since 1981, $60K in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2026-04-Flooding (2).
Is Traverse 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 Grand Traverse County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Traverse City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Traverse 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 Traverse City?
By FEMA money that reached Traverse City, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 74 households applied for aid, $508K approved. By flood claims, 2026-04-Flooding: 2 paid, $10K.
Is Traverse City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Traverse City’s rate for it is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Traverse City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Traverse 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.