Newaygo County, Michigan Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MI
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 47th
Newaygo County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 47.1, 47th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Newaygo County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 47.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 47th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. 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 winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $685K in expected annual loss and about 24.90 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 1.73 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $8K in expected annual loss and about 0.25 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 50K.
Beyond physical exposure, Newaygo County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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: Newaygo County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1975, including 5 for flood events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (flood), declared in June 2026.
Among 83 Michigan counties, Newaygo County ranks #47 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 24.90 / yr | $685K |
| Strong Wind | High | 1.73 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.25 / yr | $8K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.43 / yr | $8M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.42 / yr | $961K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.91 / yr | $84K |
| Lightning | Low | 30.54 / yr | $203K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.19 / yr | $950K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $30K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.84 / yr | $143K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.11 / yr | $118K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $60K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $7K |
| 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
Newaygo County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1975, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding in June 2026. Most frequent causes: Flood (5), Severe Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2013 | Flood | Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 1999 | Snowstorm | Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99 |
| June 1998 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| September 1986 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| September 1985 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 13 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Newaygo County?
Newaygo County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 47.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 47th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Newaygo County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $685K EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Landslide (Low, $8K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Newaygo County compare to other Michigan counties?
Newaygo County ranks #47 of 83 Michigan counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Newaygo County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Newaygo County since 1975, most often 5 for flood events and 3 for severe storm 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. Newaygo County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.