Less hazard damage per building is expected in Wolverine Lake than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wolverine Lake gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #252 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (22%). 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 Wolverine Lake 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 Wolverine Lake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wolverine Lake, and Wolverine Lake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 22%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #252 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wolverine Lake’s residents live in 2 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, Wolverine Lake has less expected damage per building than 64% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Wolverine Lake: $654K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wolverine Lake flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Wolverine Lake. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Wolverine Lake 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wolverine Lake
Disasters that paid out in Wolverine Lake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Wolverine Lake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2000Snow$8K to the Village of Wolverine Lake for repairs
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 Wolverine Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wolverine Lake archive →Wolverine Lake and its neighbors
Wolverine Lake is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walled Lake | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Commerce Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Wolverine Lake | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
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 Wolverine Lake 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 Wolverine Lake
Is Wolverine Lake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wolverine Lake has lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #252 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Wolverine Lake 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 Wolverine Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wolverine Lake’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 Wolverine Lake?
By FEMA money that reached Wolverine Lake, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2023): 6 households applied for aid, $10K approved.
Is Wolverine Lake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Wolverine Lake’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wolverine Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wolverine Lake’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.