Clare County, Michigan Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MI
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 47th
Clare County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 47.5, 47th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Clare County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 47.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 47th 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 High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 2.03 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $293K in expected annual loss and about 17.21 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 2.16 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 31K.
Beyond physical exposure, Clare County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Clare County has received 9 federal disaster declarations since 1975, 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, Clare County ranks #46 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 2.03 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | High | 17.21 / yr | $293K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.16 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 28.62 / yr | $292K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.15 / yr | $2K |
| Hail | Low | 1.58 / yr | $253K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.16 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.29 / yr | $4M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $19K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.47 / yr | $37K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.53 / yr | $66K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $25K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Clare County has received 9 federal disaster declarations since 1975, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Snowstorm (2), Flood (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2001 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| September 1986 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| January 1978 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
| March 1977 | Drought | Drought |
| March 1976 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Icing & Flooding |
| September 1975 | Flood | Severe Storms, High Winds & Flooding |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Clare County?
Clare County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 47.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 47th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Clare County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $293K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clare County compare to other Michigan counties?
Clare County ranks #46 of 83 Michigan counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Clare County had?
FEMA records 9 federal disaster declarations for Clare County since 1975, 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. Clare County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.