Photo: Matt Krajenke · Public domainFEMA puts Utica’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Utica gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #450 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 39 claims here since 1989.
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 Utica’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Utica 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
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 Utica’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Utica, and Utica’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 15% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #450 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Utica’s residents live in 2 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, Utica has more expected damage per building than 64% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Utica: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Utica flood? Sometimes: 39 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Utica, from FEMA’s records: 15.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-04-Flooding1 claim · $64K
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $9K
Utica isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Macomb County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Utica
Disasters that paid out in Utica itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Utica), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding23 households applied for aid$43K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes18 households applied for aid$1K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding44 households applied for aid$155K aid approved28 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Snow$6K to the City of Utica for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$5K to the City of Utica for repairs
Macomb County has had 14 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 Utica after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Utica archive →Utica and its neighbors
Utica 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shelby Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Utica | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
| Sterling Heights | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
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 Utica 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.
- 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 Utica
Is Utica at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Utica has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #450 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Utica flood?
Flood insurance has paid 39 claims in Utica since 1989, $988K in all, or 15.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2026-04-Flooding (1).
Is Utica 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 Macomb County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Utica?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Utica’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 Utica?
By FEMA money that reached Utica, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2004): 44 households applied for aid, $155K approved. By flood claims, 2026-04-Flooding: 1 paid, $64K.
Is Utica at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Utica’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Utica.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Utica’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.