Ottawa County
Michigan — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 83th
Ottawa County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 82.9, 83th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $68M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 2.17 / yr | $7M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.68 / yr | $45M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.37 / yr | $8M |
| Hail | Medium | 1.20 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 32.18 / yr | $317K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.21 / yr | $469K |
| Lightning | Medium | 32.61 / yr | $867K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.00 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.31 / yr | $939K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $665K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $2K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $12K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $26K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $15K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Ottawa County?
Ottawa County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 82.9 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 83th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Ottawa County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $7M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $45M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $8M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Ottawa County compare to other Michigan counties?
Ottawa County ranks #9 of 83 Michigan counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
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. Ottawa County's $68M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.