Max and Esther De Pree House · Photo: Jim Roberts · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Zeeland than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Zeeland gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #43 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2008.
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 Zeeland 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 Zeeland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Zeeland, and Zeeland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 9%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #43 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Zeeland’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, Zeeland has less expected damage per building than 94% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Zeeland: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Zeeland flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Zeeland, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Zeeland 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Zeeland
Disasters that paid out in Zeeland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Zeeland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$15K to the City of Zeeland for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Snow$9K to the City of Zeeland for repairs
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$6K to the City of Zeeland for repairs
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 Zeeland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Zeeland archive →Zeeland and its neighbors
Zeeland has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zeeland | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Zeeland Township | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Holland Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Zeeland 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 Zeeland
Is Zeeland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Zeeland has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #43 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Zeeland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Zeeland since 2008, $42K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Zeeland 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 Zeeland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Zeeland’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 Zeeland?
By FEMA money that reached Zeeland, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): $15K to the City of Zeeland for repairs.
Is Zeeland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Zeeland’s rate for it is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Zeeland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Zeeland’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.