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

Benzie County Disaster Risk

Benzie County, Michigan

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

23th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#65

of 83 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

37th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Benzie County, Michigan

Benzie County: Very Low Risk

Benzie County's composite risk score of 22.71 places it among the safest counties in the nation, well below the national average. The Very Low risk rating reflects minimal exposure to most major natural hazards, particularly earthquakes (5.31) and hurricanes (8.68). This favorable positioning makes Benzie one of Michigan's most disaster-resistant communities.

Michigan's Safest Counties

At 22.71, Benzie County's risk score is less than half of Michigan's state average of 49.56, ranking among the lowest-risk counties statewide. Few Michigan communities enjoy this level of natural disaster protection. Residents benefit from geographic and climatic conditions that minimize exposure to severe weather and seismic activity.

Safest in the Region

Benzie County (22.71) ranks significantly safer than neighboring Manistee County and most other Michigan counties in its region. Only Charlevoix County (22.33) rivals Benzie's low-risk status among nearby communities. This shared geographic advantage reflects the northwestern Michigan location and favorable natural hazard patterns.

Minimal but Real Hazards

Flood risk is Benzie's highest concern at 37.18, though still well below state averages, reflecting some vulnerability to heavy rainfall events near water bodies. Tornado risk (17.30) remains low but not zero—severe weather can strike anywhere. These modest risks require basic awareness but not extensive preparation compared to other Michigan counties.

Maintain Basic Preparedness

While Benzie County faces low natural disaster risk, homeowners should still maintain standard homeowners insurance and review coverage annually. Keep a family emergency kit and weather radio on hand for the occasional severe storm season. Your low-risk status should not breed complacency—preparedness is always prudent.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Benzie County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    37th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    17th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    12th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Benzie County

Risk Verdict

Benzie County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 23th percentile nationally. Benzie County's 23th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Benzie County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 37th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 17th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (12th percentile), hurricane (9th percentile), earthquake (5th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Benzie County's top natural hazard is flood risk, ranked at the 37th percentile nationally. Homeowners here should confirm whether they are in a FEMA-designated flood zone and check if standard homeowners insurance covers flood damage — it typically does not. Alongside flooding, tornado exposure at the 17th percentile means households benefit from a multi-hazard preparedness plan rather than focusing on flood alone. For most Benzie County households, the highest-return preparedness step is storing critical documents in digital cloud backup combined with a pre-designated family meeting point if communication is disrupted.

Regional Context

The Michigan county average exceeds Benzie County's score by 26.9 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Benzie 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 Benzie County, MI?
Benzie County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 23th 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 Benzie County?
Benzie County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (37th percentile), tornado (17th percentile), wildfire (12th percentile), hurricane (9th percentile), earthquake (5th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 37th 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 Benzie County risk compare to the Michigan average?
Benzie County's composite risk percentile is 23th, compared to the Michigan state average of 50th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Benzie County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Michigan.
Is Benzie County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Benzie County's flooding risk is at the 37th 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 Benzie County a safe place to live?
Benzie County's composite risk score of 23th 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 37th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Charlevoix County

Michigan

-0.4

Very Low

22th percentile

Lake County

Michigan

-0.7

Very Low

22th percentile

Presque Isle County

Michigan

-1.0

Very Low

22th percentile

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.

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