Allegan County, Michigan Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MI
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 69th
Allegan County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 68.5, 69th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $32M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Allegan County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 68.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 69th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 2.88 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 1.51 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $22M in expected annual loss and about 0.61 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $32M in expected annual loss for a population of 120K.
Beyond physical exposure, Allegan County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: Allegan County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 6 for flood events and 5 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (flood), declared in June 2026.
Among 83 Michigan counties, Allegan County ranks #25 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 2.88 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 1.51 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.61 / yr | $22M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.53 / yr | $4M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.44 / yr | $214K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 30.26 / yr | $124K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.19 / yr | $3K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.05 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Low | 34.19 / yr | $326K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $291K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.68 / yr | $339K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $30K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $20K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Allegan County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding in June 2026. Most frequent causes: Flood (6), Snowstorm (5), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2013 | Flood | Flooding |
| July 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2001 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| January 1999 | Snowstorm | Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99 |
| September 1986 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| September 1980 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Allegan County?
Allegan County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 68.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 69th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Allegan County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $22M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Allegan County compare to other Michigan counties?
Allegan County ranks #25 of 83 Michigan counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Allegan County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Allegan County since 1965, most often 6 for flood events and 5 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in June 2026.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Allegan County's $32M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.