Berrien County
Michigan — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 82th
Berrien County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 81.7, 82th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $45M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 4.21 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Medium | 2.34 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.26 / yr | $6M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.71 / yr | $27M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.68 / yr | $5M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 22.98 / yr | $169K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $897K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.53 / yr | $723K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $3K |
| Lightning | Medium | 37.75 / yr | $345K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.19 / yr | $77K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $13K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $16K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| 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 Berrien County?
Berrien County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 81.7 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 82th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Berrien County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL), Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $6M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Berrien County compare to other Michigan counties?
Berrien County ranks #12 of 83 Michigan counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Berrien County's $45M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.