FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Wright Township than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wright Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #340 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2013.
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 Wright 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 Wright Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wright Township, and Wright Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #340 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Wright 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, Wright Township has less expected damage per building than 52% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $952K a year in losses across Wright Township: $748K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wright Township flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wright Township, from FEMA’s records: 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Wright 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: Ottawa County.The storms Wright Township remembers
None of the 13 disasters declared for Ottawa County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Wright Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20133 flood claims paidThe year of Flooding, declared for Ottawa County
- 20141 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Ottawa County has had 13 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 Wright Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wright Township archive →Wright Township and its neighbors
Wright Township is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Chester Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Wright Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Tallmadge Township | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Polkton Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Wright 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 Wright Township
Is Wright Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wright Township has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #340 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (6%). 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.
Does Wright Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Wright Township since 2013, $43K in all, or 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Wright 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 Ottawa County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wright Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wright Township’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Wright Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Wright Township’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wright Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wright 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.