Photo: Coreyfein01 · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in West Bloomfield Township than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Bloomfield Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #187 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 26 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 West Bloomfield Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What West Bloomfield 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 West Bloomfield Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Bloomfield Township, and West Bloomfield Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 22%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
A #187 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Bloomfield Township’s residents live in 19 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, West Bloomfield Township has less expected damage per building than 73% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $20.3M a year in losses across West Bloomfield Township: $13.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Bloomfield Township flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Bloomfield Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $9K
West Bloomfield 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: Oakland County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Bloomfield Township
Disasters that paid out in West Bloomfield Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to West Bloomfield Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding454 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes119 households applied for aid$127K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding82 households applied for aid$79K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding40 households applied for aid$44K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Oakland County has had 11 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 West Bloomfield Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Bloomfield Township archive →West Bloomfield Township and its neighbors
West Bloomfield Township is 4th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orchard Lake Village | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Bloomfield Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Farmington Hills | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 88 |
| West Bloomfield Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Commerce Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Waterford Township | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Keego Harbor | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Sylvan Lake | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 West Bloomfield 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 West Bloomfield Township
Is West Bloomfield Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Bloomfield Township has lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #187 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Bloomfield Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in West Bloomfield Township since 1981, $267K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is West Bloomfield 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 Oakland County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Bloomfield Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Bloomfield 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 West Bloomfield Township?
By FEMA money that reached West Bloomfield Township, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2023): 454 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $9K.
Is West Bloomfield Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and West Bloomfield Township’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Bloomfield Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Bloomfield 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.