Kalamazoo County

Michigan — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Medium

Composite Risk Score

81.7

National percentile: 82th

Kalamazoo County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 81.7, 82th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $55M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $55M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very High Capacity to recover
Population 262K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Hail
High $6M/yr
Tornado
High $12M/yr
Strong Wind
High $2M/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Hail High 2.23 / yr $6M
Tornado High 0.26 / yr $12M
Strong Wind High 4.30 / yr $2M
Riverine Flood Medium 0.50 / yr $27M
Winter Weather Medium 24.74 / yr $293K
Cold Wave Medium 1.79 / yr $4M
Ice Storm Medium 1.42 / yr $326K
Earthquake Low 0.00 / yr $944K
Landslide Low 0.16 / yr $5K
Lightning Medium 36.05 / yr $539K
Heat Wave Low 2.68 / yr $619K
Hurricane Very Low 0.02 / yr $52K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $25K
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Kalamazoo County?

Kalamazoo County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 81.7 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 82th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Kalamazoo County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $6M EAL), Tornado (High, $12M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Kalamazoo County compare to other Michigan counties?

Kalamazoo County ranks #13 of 83 Michigan counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Kalamazoo County's $55M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.