Hillsdale County
Michigan — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 50th
Hillsdale County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 50.0, 50th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | Medium | 0.31 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Medium | 36.89 / yr | $502K |
| Hail | Medium | 3.15 / yr | $538K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.11 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.38 / yr | $656K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.67 / yr | $118K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $2K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.18 / yr | $7M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $236K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.53 / yr | $181K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.37 / yr | $36K |
| Drought | Low | 0.34 / yr | $36K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $15K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | 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 Hillsdale County?
Hillsdale County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 50.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 50th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hillsdale County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL), Lightning (Medium, $502K EAL), Hail (Medium, $538K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hillsdale County compare to other Michigan counties?
Hillsdale County ranks #43 of 83 Michigan counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low 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. Hillsdale County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.