Oceana County, Michigan Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MI
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 34th
Oceana County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 33.7, 34th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Oceana County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 33.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 34th 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.
Most of Oceana County's expected losses come from strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 1.34 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $427K in expected annual loss and about 28.99 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $5K in expected annual loss and about 0.19 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 27K.
Beyond physical exposure, Oceana County has a medium 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: Oceana County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1975, including 4 for flood events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (flood), declared in June 2026.
Among 83 Michigan counties, Oceana County ranks #57 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 1.34 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | High | 28.99 / yr | $427K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.19 / yr | $5K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.88 / yr | $65K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.29 / yr | $5M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $17K |
| Lightning | Low | 30.04 / yr | $105K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.21 / yr | $500K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.68 / yr | $130K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.89 / yr | $371K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.86 / yr | $66K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $26K |
| 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
Oceana County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1975, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding in June 2026. Most frequent causes: Flood (4), Snowstorm (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 |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 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 |
| January 1978 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
| March 1977 | Drought | Drought |
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 Oceana County?
Oceana County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 33.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 34th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Oceana County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $427K EAL), Landslide (Low, $5K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Oceana County compare to other Michigan counties?
Oceana County ranks #57 of 83 Michigan counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Oceana County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Oceana County since 1975, most often 4 for flood events and 3 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. Oceana County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.