Ogemaw County, Michigan Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MI
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 37th
Ogemaw County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 37.0, 37th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Ogemaw County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 37.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 37th 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.
Risk here concentrates in hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 1.53 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $159K in expected annual loss and about 13.74 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $788K in expected annual loss and about 1.74 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 21K.
Beyond physical exposure, Ogemaw 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Ogemaw County has received 7 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, Ogemaw County ranks #55 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 1.53 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 13.74 / yr | $159K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.74 / yr | $788K |
| Lightning | Medium | 27.30 / yr | $299K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.16 / yr | $3K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $64K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.21 / yr | $997K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.14 / yr | $4M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.12 / yr | $504K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.23 / yr | $15K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $16K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.00 / yr | $33K |
| 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
Ogemaw County has received 7 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 |
| 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 Ogemaw County?
Ogemaw County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 37.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 37th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Ogemaw County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $159K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $788K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Ogemaw County compare to other Michigan counties?
Ogemaw County ranks #55 of 83 Michigan counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Ogemaw County had?
FEMA records 7 federal disaster declarations for Ogemaw 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. Ogemaw County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.