Leelanau County
Michigan — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 48th
Leelanau County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 48.3, 48th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $16M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 0.79 / yr | $9M |
| Winter Weather | High | 34.53 / yr | $419K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.29 / yr | $15K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.25 / yr | $5M |
| Hail | Low | 0.60 / yr | $176K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $10K |
| Lightning | Low | 23.99 / yr | $114K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.67 / yr | $243K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $222K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.74 / yr | $48K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Leelanau County?
Leelanau County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 48.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 48th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Leelanau County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $9M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $419K EAL), Landslide (Low, $15K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Leelanau County compare to other Michigan counties?
Leelanau County ranks #44 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. Leelanau County's $16M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.