Gogebic County, Michigan Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MI
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 26th
Gogebic County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 25.6, 26th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Gogebic County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 25.6 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 lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $563K in expected annual loss and about 25.82 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $142K in expected annual loss and about 32.84 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 6.05 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 14K.
Beyond physical exposure, Gogebic County has a very high 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). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
History supports the rating: Gogebic County has received 9 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 3 for flood events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 83 Michigan counties, Gogebic County ranks #61 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | High | 25.82 / yr | $563K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 32.84 / yr | $142K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 6.05 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.93 / yr | $332K |
| Hail | Low | 1.02 / yr | $95K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.57 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.02 / yr | $20K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $145K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.27 / yr | $52 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.60 / yr | $129 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $0 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $15K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $447 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Gogebic County has received 9 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (3), Biological (2), Hurricane (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| August 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| June 2013 | Flood | Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2002 | Flood | Flooding |
| May 1994 | Freezing | Severe Deep Freeze |
| January 1978 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
| March 1977 | Drought | Drought |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Gogebic County?
Gogebic County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 25.6 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 Gogebic County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (High, $563K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $142K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Gogebic County compare to other Michigan counties?
Gogebic County ranks #61 of 83 Michigan counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Gogebic County had?
FEMA records 9 federal disaster declarations for Gogebic County since 1977, most often 3 for flood events and 2 for biological 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. Gogebic County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.