Sanilac County, Michigan Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MI
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 70th
Sanilac County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 70.3, 70th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $23M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Sanilac County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 70.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 70th 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.
Risk here concentrates in cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 3.00 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $316K in expected annual loss and about 13.53 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $186K in expected annual loss and about 0.93 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $23M in expected annual loss for a population of 41K.
Beyond physical exposure, Sanilac 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.
History supports the rating: Sanilac County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 3 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 83 Michigan counties, Sanilac County ranks #20 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 3.00 / yr | $10M |
| Winter Weather | High | 13.53 / yr | $316K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.93 / yr | $186K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.13 / yr | $795K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.39 / yr | $9M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.32 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Low | 1.55 / yr | $325K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $99K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.95 / yr | $240K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $80K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $308 |
| Lightning | Low | 29.76 / yr | $89K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Sanilac County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (3), Snowstorm (3), Flood (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 2001 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| July 1996 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 1986 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| September 1985 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| January 1978 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
| February 1977 | Snowstorm | Snowstorms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 12 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Sanilac County?
Sanilac County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 70.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 70th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Sanilac County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $10M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $316K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $186K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Sanilac County compare to other Michigan counties?
Sanilac County ranks #20 of 83 Michigan counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Sanilac County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Sanilac County since 1973, most often 3 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in March 2020.
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. Sanilac County's $23M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.