Macomb County, Michigan Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MI
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 97th
Macomb County faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 96.7, 97th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $268M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Macomb County is high, with a National Risk Index score of 96.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 97th national percentile and in the upper tier of natural-disaster risk nationally. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Very High risk — $59M in expected annual loss and about 0.21 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Very High risk — $41M in expected annual loss and about 2.63 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Very High risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 4.87 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $268M in expected annual loss for a population of 880K.
Beyond physical exposure, Macomb 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: Macomb County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 6 for flood events and 5 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (flood), declared in February 2024.
Among 83 Michigan counties, Macomb County ranks #3 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | Very High | 0.21 / yr | $59M |
| Cold Wave | Very High | 2.63 / yr | $41M |
| Strong Wind | Very High | 4.87 / yr | $7M |
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.98 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 1.93 / yr | $146M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 4.21 / yr | $6M |
| Hail | Medium | 2.39 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | High | 34.45 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | High | 11.47 / yr | $403K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $81K |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 0.01 / yr | $66K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $32K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $557 |
| 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
Macomb County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding in February 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (6), Severe Storm (5), Snowstorm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2021 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2014 | Flood | Severe Storms 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 1999 | Snowstorm | Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Macomb County?
Macomb County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 96.7 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 97th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Macomb County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (Very High, $59M EAL), Cold Wave (Very High, $41M EAL), Strong Wind (Very High, $7M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Macomb County compare to other Michigan counties?
Macomb County ranks #3 of 83 Michigan counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Macomb County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Macomb County since 1972, most often 6 for flood events and 5 for severe storm 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. Macomb County's $268M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.