Photo: Doug Kerr · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA puts Wakeman’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wakeman gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1998.
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 Wakeman 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
Hail
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 Wakeman’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wakeman, and Wakeman’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Wakeman’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $285K a year in losses across Wakeman: $217K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wakeman flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wakeman, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Wakeman isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Huron County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wakeman
Disasters that paid out in Wakeman itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Wakeman), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$998 to the Village of Wakeman for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding18 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$2K to the Village of Wakeman for repairs
- 2004Snow$2K to the Village of Wakeman for repairs
Huron County has had 10 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 Wakeman after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wakeman archive →Get ready for what Wakeman 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Wakeman
Is Wakeman at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wakeman has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (11%). 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 Wakeman flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Wakeman since 1998, $3K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Wakeman 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 Huron County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wakeman?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wakeman’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 Wakeman?
By FEMA money that reached Wakeman, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding (2006): 18 households applied for aid, $9K approved.
Is Wakeman at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Wakeman’s rate for it is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wakeman.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wakeman’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.