Photo: ajay_suresh · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Warren than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Warren gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #435 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 23 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 Warren’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Warren 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 Warren’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Warren, and Warren’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 17% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #435 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Warren’s residents live in 43 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, Warren has more expected damage per building than 62% of Michigan towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Warren has lower expected damage per building than 83% (#69 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $36.8M, is the 316th largest of those 400.
Does Warren flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Warren, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Warren 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 Warren
Disasters that paid out in Warren itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Warren), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3,091 households applied for aid$5.4M aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes711 households applied for aid$831K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding6,523 households applied for aid$8.6M aid approved$687K to the City of Warren for repairs15 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding240 households applied for aid$179K aid approved
- 2000Snow$87K to the City of Warren for repairs
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$112K to the City of Warren for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Warren after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Warren archive →Warren and its neighbors
Warren is 6th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hazel Park | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Eastpointe | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Detroit | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 379 |
| Madison Heights | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Roseville | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Warren | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| 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 Warren 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 Warren
Is Warren at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Warren has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #435 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Warren flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Warren since 1981, $908K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Warren 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 Warren?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Warren’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 Warren?
By FEMA money that reached Warren, Severe Storms and Flooding (2014): 6,523 households applied for aid, $8.6M approved, and $687K to the City of Warren for repairs.
Is Warren at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Warren’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Warren.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Warren’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.