Osceola County, Michigan Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MI
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 24th
Osceola County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 23.9, 24th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Osceola County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 23.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 24th 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 winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $244K in expected annual loss and about 19.42 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $7K in expected annual loss and about 0.27 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $867K in expected annual loss and about 1.81 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 23K.
Beyond physical exposure, Osceola County has a high 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). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Osceola County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1975, including 5 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, Osceola County ranks #64 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 19.42 / yr | $244K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.27 / yr | $7K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.81 / yr | $867K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.00 / yr | $852K |
| Lightning | Low | 29.04 / yr | $173K |
| Hail | Low | 1.43 / yr | $178K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.39 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.14 / yr | $576K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.34 / yr | $26K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.53 / yr | $49K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $16K |
| 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
Osceola County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1975, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding in June 2026. Most frequent causes: Flood (5), 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 |
| June 2013 | Flood | Flooding |
| July 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2001 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| January 1999 | Snowstorm | Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99 |
| September 1986 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| September 1985 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Osceola County?
Osceola County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 23.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 24th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Osceola County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $244K EAL), Landslide (Low, $7K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $867K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Osceola County compare to other Michigan counties?
Osceola County ranks #64 of 83 Michigan counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Osceola County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Osceola County since 1975, most often 5 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. Osceola County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.