Photo: Joshua S. Goodrich, J.D., LL.M. · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in White Pigeon Township than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, White Pigeon Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #254 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2018.
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 Pigeon 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
Hail
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 White Pigeon Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in White Pigeon Township, and White Pigeon Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hail at 9% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #254 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
White Pigeon Township’s residents live in 3 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, White Pigeon Township has less expected damage per building than 64% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across White Pigeon Township: $778K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does White Pigeon Township flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in White Pigeon Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
White Pigeon 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: St. Joseph County.The storms White Pigeon Township remembers
None of the 5 disasters declared for St. Joseph County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching White Pigeon Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20181 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
St. Joseph County has had 5 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of White Pigeon Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the White Pigeon Township archive →White Pigeon Township and its neighbors
White Pigeon Township is 4th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sturgis Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| White Pigeon | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Mottville Township | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| White Pigeon Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Van Buren Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Florence Township | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Pigeon 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 White Pigeon Township
Is White Pigeon Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, White Pigeon Township has lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #254 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hail (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does White Pigeon Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in White Pigeon Township since 2018, $2K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is White Pigeon 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 St. Joseph County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in White Pigeon Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for White Pigeon Township’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is White Pigeon Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and White Pigeon Township’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in White Pigeon Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where White Pigeon 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.