Wayne County
Michigan — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 99th
Wayne County faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 99.0, 99th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $402M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Very High | 2.68 / yr | $60M |
| Strong Wind | Very High | 5.10 / yr | $13M |
| Tornado | Very High | 0.28 / yr | $44M |
| Riverine Flood | Very High | 3.14 / yr | $237M |
| Heat Wave | High | 4.32 / yr | $32M |
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.88 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Very High | 36.55 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $10M |
| Winter Weather | High | 10.21 / yr | $491K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $2K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $120K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $46K |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 0.01 / yr | $90K |
| Hail | Low | 2.85 / yr | $174K |
| 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 Wayne County?
Wayne County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 99.0 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 99th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wayne County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Very High, $60M EAL), Strong Wind (Very High, $13M EAL), Tornado (Very High, $44M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wayne County compare to other Michigan counties?
Wayne County ranks #1 of 83 Michigan counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high 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. Wayne County's $402M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.