Monroe County, Michigan Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MI
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 82th
Monroe County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 82.5, 82th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $55M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Monroe County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 82.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 82nd 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.
Risk here concentrates in strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 5.01 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 0.31 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $34M in expected annual loss and about 1.32 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $55M in expected annual loss for a population of 155K.
Beyond physical exposure, Monroe 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.
History supports the rating: Monroe County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 4 for flood events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (flood), declared in February 2024.
Among 83 Michigan counties, Monroe County ranks #10 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 5.01 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.31 / yr | $8M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.32 / yr | $34M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.54 / yr | $673K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.89 / yr | $5M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.14 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 8.89 / yr | $201K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.79 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Low | 38.09 / yr | $305K |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 0.01 / yr | $60K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $48K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $20K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $278 |
| 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
Monroe County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding in February 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (4), Biological (2), Snowstorm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 2003 | Other | Power Outage |
| January 1999 | Snowstorm | Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99 |
| March 1982 | Flood | Flooding |
| January 1978 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
| April 1973 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| December 1972 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 11 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Monroe County?
Monroe County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 82.5 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 Monroe County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $8M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $34M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Monroe County compare to other Michigan counties?
Monroe County ranks #10 of 83 Michigan counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Monroe County had?
FEMA records 11 federal disaster declarations for Monroe County since 1965, most often 4 for flood events and 2 for biological 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. Monroe County's $55M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.