riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Barry County Disaster Risk

Barry County, Michigan

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

46th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#49

of 83 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

59th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Barry County

Risk Verdict

Barry County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 46th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Barry County, scoring in the 72th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 59th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (35th), wildfire (25th), hurricane (21th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Barry County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Barry County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Michigan. Its composite risk score is within 3.6 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of Michigan as a whole.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Barry County, MI?
Barry County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 46th 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 Barry County?
Barry County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (72th percentile), flooding (59th percentile), earthquake (35th percentile), wildfire (25th percentile), hurricane (21th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 72th 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 Barry County risk compare to the Michigan average?
Barry County's composite risk percentile is 46th, compared to the Michigan state average of 50th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Barry County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Michigan.
Is Barry County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Barry County's tornado risk is at the 72th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Barry County is at the 59th percentile.
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 Barry County a safe place to live?
Barry County's composite risk score of 46th 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 tornado at the 72th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Clinton County

Michigan

+1.0

Relatively Low

47th percentile

Newaygo County

Michigan

+1.1

Relatively Low

47th percentile

Clare County

Michigan

+1.5

Relatively Low

47th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.

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