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 Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Barry County, Michigan
Barry approaches national risk baseline
Barry County scores 45.99 on the composite risk scale, earning a Relatively Low rating that approaches but remains slightly below the national average. The county faces moderate disaster exposure in select hazard categories.
Slightly below Michigan's state average
Barry's composite risk score of 45.99 sits modestly below Michigan's state average of 49.56, placing it among the state's mid-range risk counties. Tornado and flood hazards drive much of the county's exposure.
Riskier than regional peers overall
Barry scores 45.99, substantially exceeding Alpena at 28.34 and markedly higher than Antrim at 25.76. The county carries elevated risk compared to most surrounding counties.
Tornadoes and floods dominate exposure
Barry faces tornado risk of 72.07 and flood risk of 58.87—both well above state averages and the county's primary concerns. Earthquake risk of 35.11 adds a third significant hazard to residents' awareness.
Flood and wind coverage both essential
Barry residents should secure flood insurance given the county's 58.87 flood risk score, particularly those in flood-prone areas. A robust homeowners policy with adequate wind and tornado coverage is critical for the county's 72.07 tornado risk.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Barry County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Barry County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard pressure in Barry County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 46th percentile. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Barry County's favorable 46th percentile ranking.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Barry County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 72th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 59th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (35th percentile), wildfire (25th percentile), hurricane (21th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With tornado ranked at the 72th percentile nationally, Barry County sits in a high-exposure zone where the difference between outcomes often comes down to proximity to a reinforced interior shelter and seconds of warning time. Flood is the second hazard driver for Barry County at the 59th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. For Barry County households, safe rooms certified to FEMA 320/361 standards offer the highest protection during a direct tornado hit; households without a safe room should locate the innermost lowest-floor room in their building and practice the route to it before storm season.
Regional Context
Barry County's risk score is broadly comparable to the Michigan county average, with a 3.6-point gap that places the county near the center of the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Barry County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Barry County, MI?
What types of natural hazards affect Barry County?
How does Barry County risk compare to the Michigan average?
Is Barry County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Barry County a safe place to live?
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.