riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Alcona County Disaster Risk

Alcona County, Michigan

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

18th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#73

of 83 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

41th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Alcona County, Michigan

Alcona ranks well below national risk

Alcona County scores 17.75 on the composite disaster risk scale, earning a Very Low rating that sits well below the national average. This places the county in the safer tier for natural disaster exposure across all hazard types.

Among Michigan's safest counties

With a composite risk score of 17.75, Alcona ranks significantly below Michigan's state average of 49.56. The county's Very Low rating reflects below-average exposure to most major disaster hazards.

Safer than nearby Arenac County

Alcona's risk score of 17.75 compares favorably to neighboring Arenac County at 20.32 and Alpena County at 28.34. The county benefits from a more sheltered profile relative to its regional peers.

Flood and wildfire pose modest threats

Alcona's primary hazard concerns are flood risk at 41.32 and wildfire risk at 41.25, both still below state averages. Tornado risk stands at 20.74, making it the least of these three concerns for residents.

Standard homeowners coverage recommended

While Alcona carries low overall risk, flood damage is excluded from standard homeowners policies—consider separate flood insurance if your property sits near water. A basic homeowners policy remains essential for tornado and wind coverage.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Alcona County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    41th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    41th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    30th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Alcona County

Risk Verdict

Alcona County's overall natural disaster score at the 18th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Alcona County residents can take confidence from a 18th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Alcona County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 41th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 41th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (30th percentile), tornado (21th percentile), earthquake (7th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Flood risk is Alcona County's top hazard at the 41th percentile nationally. Households in or near designated flood zones face elevated financial exposure; flood insurance typically requires a 30-day waiting period before it takes effect, so applying before the season is advisable. Alongside flooding, wildfire exposure at the 41th percentile means households benefit from a multi-hazard preparedness plan rather than focusing on flood alone. Households across Alcona County should identify the nearest community shelter and keep a basic emergency kit — water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlight, and battery radio — in a location easy to grab quickly.

Regional Context

Alcona County's composite risk score sits 31.8 points below the Michigan county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Alcona County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Alcona County, MI?
Alcona County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 18th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Alcona County?
Alcona County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (41th percentile), wildfire (41th percentile), hurricane (30th percentile), tornado (21th percentile), earthquake (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 41th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Alcona County risk compare to the Michigan average?
Alcona County's composite risk percentile is 18th, compared to the Michigan state average of 50th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Alcona County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Michigan.
Is Alcona County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Alcona County's flooding risk is at the 41th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Alcona County a safe place to live?
Alcona County's composite risk score of 18th percentile is below the Michigan state average of 50th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is flooding at the 41th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.