Photo: Dethistoricaler at English Wikipedia · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Wyandotte than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wyandotte gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #395 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 1980.
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 stands out about Wyandotte’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wyandotte 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 Wyandotte’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wyandotte, and Wyandotte’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #395 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wyandotte’s residents live in 9 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, Wyandotte has more expected damage per building than 56% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.3M a year in losses across Wyandotte: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wyandotte flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wyandotte, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Wyandotte isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wayne County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wyandotte
Disasters that paid out in Wyandotte itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wyandotte), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding110 households applied for aid$170K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes43 households applied for aid$37K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding534 households applied for aid$297K aid approved$99K to the City of Wyandotte for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding24 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$14K to the City of Wyandotte for repairs
Wayne 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 Wyandotte after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wyandotte archive →Wyandotte and its neighbors
Wyandotte 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southgate | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Grosse Ile Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Wyandotte | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Ecorse | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
| Lincoln Park | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
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 Wyandotte 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 Wyandotte
Is Wyandotte at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wyandotte has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #395 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wyandotte flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Wyandotte since 1980, $141K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Wyandotte 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 Wayne County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wyandotte?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wyandotte’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 Wyandotte?
By FEMA money that reached Wyandotte, Severe Storms and Flooding (2014): 534 households applied for aid, $297K approved, and $99K to the City of Wyandotte for repairs.
Is Wyandotte at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Wyandotte’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wyandotte.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wyandotte’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.