Photo: Charles W. Chapman · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in White Cloud than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, White Cloud gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). 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 White Cloud 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
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 White Cloud’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in White Cloud, and White Cloud’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 10%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of White Cloud’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $349K a year in losses across White Cloud: $242K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does White Cloud flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in White Cloud. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
White Cloud isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Newaygo County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to White Cloud
Disasters that paid out in White Cloud itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of White Cloud), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$40K aid approved
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$2K to the City of White Cloud for repairs
Newaygo County has had 10 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 White Cloud after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the White Cloud archive →White Cloud and its neighbors
White Cloud 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Cloud | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Wilcox Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Everett Township | A−less damage than 79% | 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 White Cloud 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.
- 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 White Cloud
Is White Cloud at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, White Cloud has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and strong wind (10%). 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 White Cloud 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 Newaygo County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in White Cloud?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for White Cloud’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 White Cloud?
By FEMA money that reached White Cloud, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 8 households applied for aid, $40K approved.
Is White Cloud at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and White Cloud’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in White Cloud.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where White Cloud’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.