Ingham County, Michigan Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MI
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 87th
Ingham County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 87.2, 87th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $72M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Ingham County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 87.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 87th national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Ingham County's expected losses come from strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Very High risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 6.03 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $16M in expected annual loss and about 0.29 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 3.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $72M in expected annual loss for a population of 285K.
Beyond physical exposure, Ingham County has a low 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: Ingham County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 3 for flood events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (flood), declared in February 2024.
Among 83 Michigan counties, Ingham County ranks #8 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Very High | 6.03 / yr | $7M |
| Tornado | High | 0.29 / yr | $16M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.01 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | High | 2.26 / yr | $7M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.39 / yr | $36M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.73 / yr | $608K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 16.53 / yr | $210K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.63 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 34.14 / yr | $573K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $941K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $1K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $54K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $15K |
| 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
Ingham County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding in February 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (3), Snowstorm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2003 | Other | Power Outage |
| January 2001 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| January 1978 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
| September 1975 | Flood | Severe Storms, High Winds & Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 12 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Ingham County?
Ingham County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 87.2 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 87th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Ingham County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Very High, $7M EAL), Tornado (High, $16M EAL), Hail (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Ingham County compare to other Michigan counties?
Ingham County ranks #8 of 83 Michigan counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Ingham County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Ingham County since 1972, most often 3 for flood events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in February 2024.
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. Ingham County's $72M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.