Chippewa County, Michigan Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MI
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 26th
Chippewa County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 26.3, 26th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Chippewa County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 26.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 26th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $242K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 1.97 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $1K in expected annual loss and about 0.23 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 37K.
Beyond physical exposure, Chippewa County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Chippewa County has received 7 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 2 for biological events and 2 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 83 Michigan counties, Chippewa County ranks #59 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $242K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.97 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.23 / yr | $1K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.21 / yr | $6M |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 0.02 / yr | $39K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 32.35 / yr | $37K |
| Lightning | Low | 21.07 / yr | $127K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $31K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $11K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $3K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.19 / yr | $49K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $34K |
| 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
Chippewa County has received 7 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Snowstorm (2), Hurricane (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 1994 | Freezing | Severe Deep Freeze |
| January 1978 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
| March 1977 | Drought | Drought |
| February 1977 | Snowstorm | Snowstorms |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Chippewa County?
Chippewa County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 26.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 26th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Chippewa County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $242K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $1M EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $1K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Chippewa County compare to other Michigan counties?
Chippewa County ranks #59 of 83 Michigan counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Chippewa County had?
FEMA records 7 federal disaster declarations for Chippewa County since 1977, most often 2 for biological events and 2 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in March 2020.
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. Chippewa County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.