For strong wind, Wheeler Township’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wheeler Township gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #572 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then strong wind (15%). 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 Wheeler 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
Strong wind
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 Wheeler Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wheeler Township, and Wheeler Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 15%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B #572 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Wheeler Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Michigan town has lower expected damage than 77% of U.S. towns; within the state, Wheeler Township has more expected damage per building than 82% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $914K a year in losses across Wheeler Township: $642K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wheeler Township flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Wheeler Township. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Wheeler 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: Gratiot County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Wheeler Township
Disasters that paid out in Wheeler Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Wheeler Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Gratiot County has had 9 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 Wheeler Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wheeler Township archive →Wheeler Township and its neighbors
Wheeler Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheeler Township | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Bethany Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Porter Township | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lafayette Township | — | 573 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Wheeler 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Wheeler Township
Is Wheeler Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wheeler Township has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #572 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and strong wind (15%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Wheeler 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 Gratiot County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wheeler Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wheeler 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 Wheeler Township?
By FEMA money that reached Wheeler Township, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 1 households applied for aid, $6K approved.
Is Wheeler Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Wheeler Township’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wheeler Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wheeler 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.