Alpena County
Michigan — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 28th
Alpena County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 28.3, 28th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.95 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.07 / yr | $5M |
| Lightning | Low | 23.87 / yr | $131K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $7K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.72 / yr | $82K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $153 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $274K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.84 / yr | $70K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 17.16 / yr | $9K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $7K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.59 / yr | $88K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Alpena County?
Alpena County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 28.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 28th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Alpena County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Low, $1M EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $5M EAL), Lightning (Low, $131K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Alpena County compare to other Michigan counties?
Alpena County ranks #58 of 83 Michigan counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
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. Alpena County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.