riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Hillsdale County Disaster Risk

Hillsdale County, Michigan

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

50th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#43

of 83 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

56th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Hillsdale County

Risk Verdict

Hillsdale County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 50th 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 Hillsdale County, scoring in the 79th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 56th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (51th), hurricane (33th), wildfire (18th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Hillsdale 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

Hillsdale County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Michigan. Its composite risk score is within 0.4 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 Hillsdale County, MI?
Hillsdale County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 50th 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 Hillsdale County?
Hillsdale County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (79th percentile), flooding (56th percentile), earthquake (51th percentile), hurricane (33th percentile), wildfire (18th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 79th 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 Hillsdale County risk compare to the Michigan average?
Hillsdale County's composite risk percentile is 50th, compared to the Michigan state average of 50th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Hillsdale County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Michigan.
Is Hillsdale County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Hillsdale County's tornado risk is at the 79th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Hillsdale County is at the 56th 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.
Why is Hillsdale County higher risk than average?
Hillsdale County's composite risk score of 50th percentile is above the Michigan state average of 50th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (79th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Leelanau County

Michigan

-1.6

Relatively Low

48th percentile

Branch County

Michigan

+1.8

Relatively Low

52th percentile

Cass County

Michigan

-2.3

Relatively Low

48th 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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