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Basement Risk Index™ · Community Report

Basement Flood Risk in Ray Township, Michigan

39BRI / 100
MODERATE RISK
Ranked #53 of 116 metro Detroit communities

Ray Township, Michigan carries a Basement Risk Index of 39 out of 100, ranking #53 of 116 communities across metro Detroit, which is above the metro Detroit average. The score is driven by housing age and soil: 39% of Ray 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.

Ray Township basement risk at a glance

Basement Risk Index39 / 100 (MODERATE)
Metro rank#53 of 116
Homes built before 196039%
Peak building eraBefore 1940 (19% of homes)
Median year built1972
Median home value$374,700
Median household income$115,507
Owner-occupied80%
Neighborhoods analyzed1

Ray 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 Ray Township was built

The housing stock in Ray Township peaked in the before 1940, when about 19% of today's homes were built. In total, 39% of Ray 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
2%
2010s
3%
2000s
14%
1990s
15%
1980s
6%
1970s
11%
1960s
10%
1950s
17%
1940s
3%
Before 1940
19%

How basement risk varies inside Ray Township

We score 1 individual neighborhoods inside Ray Township. Of those, 0 fall in the high or severe band, 0 are elevated, and 1 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
1Moderate
0Lower

What this means for Ray Township homeowners

Ray 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 Ray Township homes face basement risk

Basement flooding in Ray 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 Ray Township compares

Ray Township's Index of 39 is above the metro Detroit median of 36. It ranks #53 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 Ray 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 Ray Township on the interactive metro Detroit Basement Risk Index map →
Read the published methodology →
Browse all 116 communities ranked →

Nearby communities

Washington Township · 6Macomb Township · 1Armada Township · 33Lenox Township · 7Bruce Township · 20

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 Ray Township at high risk for basement flooding?

Ray Township scores 39 out of 100 on the Basement Risk Index, ranking #53 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 Ray Township?

Sump pumps, exterior weeping tile, and backwater valves only became standard in the 1960s and 70s. 39% of Ray Township homes were built before 1960, with the largest share built in the before 1940. 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.