Montmorency County, Michigan Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MI
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 16th
Montmorency County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 15.9, 16th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Montmorency County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 15.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 16th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $2K in expected annual loss and about 0.15 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $223K in expected annual loss and about 24.70 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $56K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 9K.
Beyond physical exposure, Montmorency County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Montmorency County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 2 for biological events and 2 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (flood), declared in June 2026.
Among 83 Michigan counties, Montmorency County ranks #74 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $2K |
| Lightning | Medium | 24.70 / yr | $223K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $56K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.16 / yr | $423K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.07 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.89 / yr | $71K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $170K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.74 / yr | $20K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.77 / yr | $69K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $3K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 18.95 / yr | $3K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Montmorency County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding in June 2026. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Snowstorm (2), Flood (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2025 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 1999 | Snowstorm | Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99 |
| January 1978 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
| March 1977 | Drought | Drought |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Montmorency County?
Montmorency County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 15.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 16th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Montmorency County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Very Low, $2K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $223K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $56K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Montmorency County compare to other Michigan counties?
Montmorency County ranks #74 of 83 Michigan counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Montmorency County had?
FEMA records 8 federal disaster declarations for Montmorency County since 1977, most often 2 for biological events and 2 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in June 2026.
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. Montmorency County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.