Barry County, Michigan Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MI
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 46th
Barry County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 46.0, 46th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Barry County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 46.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 46th 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.
Risk here concentrates in strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.69 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $10K in expected annual loss and about 0.27 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.24 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $17M in expected annual loss for a population of 62K.
Beyond physical exposure, Barry 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.
History supports the rating: Barry County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 5 for snowstorm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (flood), declared in June 2026.
Among 83 Michigan counties, Barry County ranks #49 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.69 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.27 / yr | $10K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.24 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.59 / yr | $253K |
| Hail | Low | 1.91 / yr | $446K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.46 / yr | $10M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.63 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 22.95 / yr | $53K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $132K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.68 / yr | $181K |
| Lightning | Low | 34.65 / yr | $123K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | 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
Barry County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding in June 2026. Most frequent causes: Snowstorm (5), Flood (3), 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 |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 2001 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| January 1999 | Snowstorm | Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99 |
| January 1978 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Barry County?
Barry County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 46.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 46th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Barry County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Landslide (Low, $10K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Barry County compare to other Michigan counties?
Barry County ranks #49 of 83 Michigan counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Barry County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Barry County since 1965, most often 5 for snowstorm events and 3 for flood 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. Barry County's $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.