Photo: PeRshGo · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Van Buren Township faces less hazard damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Van Buren Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #233 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). 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 Van Buren 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
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 Van Buren Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Van Buren Township, and Van Buren Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #233 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Van Buren Township’s residents live in 8 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, Van Buren Township has less expected damage per building than 67% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.0M a year in losses across Van Buren Township: $4.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Van Buren Township flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Van Buren Township. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Van Buren 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: Wayne County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Van Buren Township
Disasters that paid out in Van Buren Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Van Buren Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
Wayne County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Van Buren Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Van Buren Township archive →Van Buren Township and its neighbors
Van Buren Township is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Romulus | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Canton Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Van Buren Township | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Sumpter Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Ypsilanti Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Van Buren 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.
- 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 Van Buren Township
Is Van Buren Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Van Buren Township has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #233 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Van Buren 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 Wayne County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Van Buren Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Van Buren 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 Van Buren Township?
By FEMA money that reached Van Buren Township, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2023): 2 households applied for aid, $15K approved.
Is Van Buren Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Van Buren Township’s rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Van Buren Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Van Buren 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.