Photo: Dwight Burdette · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Ypsilanti’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ypsilanti gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #522 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1983.
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 Ypsilanti 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
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 Ypsilanti’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ypsilanti, and Ypsilanti’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B #522 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ypsilanti’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, Ypsilanti has more expected damage per building than 74% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.4M a year in losses across Ypsilanti: $4.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ypsilanti flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ypsilanti, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ypsilanti isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washtenaw County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ypsilanti
Disasters that paid out in Ypsilanti itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ypsilanti), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding62 households applied for aid$68K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes478 households applied for aid$769K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding58 households applied for aid$36K aid approved
- 2000Snow$15K to the City of Ypsilanti for repairs
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$19K to the City of Ypsilanti for repairs
Washtenaw County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Ypsilanti after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ypsilanti archive →Ypsilanti and its neighbors
Ypsilanti is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ypsilanti Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Ypsilanti | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Ypsilanti 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.
- 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 Ypsilanti
Is Ypsilanti at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ypsilanti has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #522 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ypsilanti flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Ypsilanti since 1983, $20K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Ypsilanti 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 Washtenaw County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ypsilanti?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ypsilanti’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 Ypsilanti?
By FEMA money that reached Ypsilanti, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2021): 478 households applied for aid, $769K approved.
Is Ypsilanti at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Ypsilanti’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ypsilanti.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ypsilanti’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.