Huron County, Michigan Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MI
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 59th
Huron County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 59.0, 59th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $18M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Huron County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 59.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 59th 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.
Most of Huron County's expected losses come from cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 3.00 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $267K in expected annual loss and about 14.53 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 2.14 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $18M in expected annual loss for a population of 31K.
Beyond physical exposure, Huron County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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: Huron County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 1973, 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, Huron County ranks #34 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Medium | 3.00 / yr | $5M |
| Winter Weather | High | 14.53 / yr | $267K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.14 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.43 / yr | $9M |
| Hail | Low | 1.34 / yr | $370K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $146K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.36 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Low | 27.92 / yr | $221K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.55 / yr | $73K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $29K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.95 / yr | $218K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $59K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $185 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Huron County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (3), Biological (2), Snowstorm (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 |
| September 1985 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| January 1978 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
| April 1973 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Huron County?
Huron County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 59.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 59th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Huron County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $5M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $267K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Huron County compare to other Michigan counties?
Huron County ranks #34 of 83 Michigan counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Huron County had?
FEMA records 8 federal disaster declarations for Huron County since 1973, 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. Huron County's $18M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.