riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Clare County Disaster Risk

Clare County, Michigan

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

47th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#46

of 83 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

50th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Clare County

Risk Verdict

Clare County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 47th 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 Clare County, scoring in the 58th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 50th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (43th), earthquake (24th), hurricane (21th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Clare 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

Clare County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Michigan. Its composite risk score is within 2.1 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 Clare County, MI?
Clare County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 47th 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 Clare County?
Clare County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (58th percentile), flooding (50th percentile), wildfire (43th percentile), earthquake (24th percentile), hurricane (21th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 58th 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 Clare County risk compare to the Michigan average?
Clare County's composite risk percentile is 47th, compared to the Michigan state average of 50th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Clare County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Michigan.
Is Clare County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Clare County's tornado risk is at the 58th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Clare County is at the 50th 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 Clare County a safe place to live?
Clare County's composite risk score of 47th 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 58th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Cass County

Michigan

+0.3

Relatively Low

48th percentile

Newaygo County

Michigan

-0.4

Relatively Low

47th percentile

Clinton County

Michigan

-0.4

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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