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Basement Risk Index™ · Community Report

Basement Flood Risk in Harrison Township, Michigan

20BRI / 100
MODERATE RISK
Ranked #78 of 116 metro Detroit communities

Harrison Township, Michigan carries a Basement Risk Index of 20 out of 100, ranking #78 of 116 communities across metro Detroit, which is below the metro Detroit average. The score is driven by housing age and soil: 16% of Harrison Township homes were built before 1960, the era before sump pumps, exterior weeping tile, and backwater valves were standard, and the region's heavy clay soil holds water against those older foundations.

Harrison Township basement risk at a glance

Basement Risk Index20 / 100 (MODERATE)
Metro rank#78 of 116
Homes built before 196016%
Peak building era1970s (22% of homes)
Median year built1979
Median home value$241,700
Median household income$79,235
Owner-occupied71%
Neighborhoods analyzed9

Harrison Township's score is modeled from U.S. Census housing data; no municipal flood records are integrated yet. The Basement Risk Index is built from U.S. Census housing data and documented flood records. See our full methodology.

When Harrison Township was built

The housing stock in Harrison Township peaked in the 1970s, when about 22% of today's homes were built. In total, 16% of Harrison Township homes predate 1960. That matters because basements built before the 1960s typically lack the sump pumps, perimeter drain tile, and backwater valves that became standard later, leaving many on their original, aging clay drain tiles.

2020 or later
0%
2010s
5%
2000s
8%
1990s
17%
1980s
17%
1970s
22%
1960s
14%
1950s
9%
1940s
4%
Before 1940
3%

How basement risk varies inside Harrison Township

We score 9 individual neighborhoods inside Harrison Township. Of those, 0 fall in the high or severe band, 0 are elevated, and 9 are moderate or lower. Risk is rarely uniform across a city, so the most useful number is the one for your own block.

0Severe
0High
0Elevated
2Moderate
7Lower

What this means for Harrison Township homeowners

Harrison Township scores in the moderate band, but moderate is not zero on clay soil. Prevention is cheap relative to a flooded basement, and a free check tells you what you are working with.

Why Harrison Township homes face basement risk

Basement flooding in Harrison Township is mostly a function of housing age and soil. Older homes were built with clay drain tiles that crack and clog over decades, and the dense clay across southeast Michigan holds water against foundations rather than letting it drain.

How Harrison Township compares

Harrison Township's Index of 20 is below the metro Detroit median of 36. It ranks #78 of 116 communities region-wide.

Does insurance cover it?

Often not. Standard Michigan homeowners policies commonly exclude sewer backup and groundwater unless you carry a specific endorsement. Before the next storm, it is worth reading our guide on whether insurance covers basement flooding in Michigan and checking your declarations page.

What to do about it

  1. Lower risk is not zero risk on the region's clay soil, a free prevention check takes about 30 minutes.
  2. Watch for symptoms after storms; what you see at your own home matters more than any average.
  3. Maintain gutters and grading, the two cheapest protections any Michigan home has.
See Harrison Township on the full metro Detroit Basement Risk Index map →

Explore the data behind this score

Basement Risk Check is a free, public homeowner resource built on public records. No signup, no login.

See Harrison Township on the interactive metro Detroit Basement Risk Index map →
Read the published methodology →
Browse all 116 communities ranked →

Nearby communities

Mount Clemens · 66Clinton Township · 17Chesterfield Township · 5Fraser · 34Roseville · 53

Homeowner guides

Does insurance cover basement flooding?What to do when your basement floodsThe 2021 metro Detroit floodsWhat keeps a Michigan basement dry

Frequently asked questions

Is Harrison Township at high risk for basement flooding?

Harrison Township scores 20 out of 100 on the Basement Risk Index, ranking #78 of 116 metro Detroit communities (MODERATE risk). The score reflects how much of the local housing stock predates modern basement drainage, on the region's clay soil.

Why does housing age matter so much in Harrison Township?

Sump pumps, exterior weeping tile, and backwater valves only became standard in the 1960s and 70s. 16% of Harrison Township homes were built before 1960, with the largest share built in the 1970s. Many still rely on original clay drain tiles that fail over time.

Does homeowners insurance cover basement flooding?

Often not. Standard policies commonly exclude groundwater and sewer backup unless you carry a specific rider. See our Michigan insurance guide.

Is this resource free to use?

Yes. The Basement Risk Index and every community report are free and public, with no signup and no login.