riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Jackson County Disaster Risk

Jackson County, Michigan

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

76th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#15

of 83 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

77th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 94% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Jackson County

Risk Verdict

Jackson County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 76th 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 Jackson County, scoring in the 94th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 77th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (68th), hurricane (40th), wildfire (33th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Jackson 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

Jackson County is significantly riskier than the average county in Michigan. Its composite risk score is 26.9 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Jackson County, MI?
Jackson County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 76th 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 Jackson County?
Jackson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (94th percentile), flooding (77th percentile), earthquake (68th percentile), hurricane (40th percentile), wildfire (33th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 94th 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 Jackson County risk compare to the Michigan average?
Jackson County's composite risk percentile is 76th, compared to the Michigan state average of 50th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Jackson County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Michigan.
Is Jackson County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Jackson County's tornado risk is at the 94th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Jackson County is at the 77th 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 Jackson County higher risk than average?
Jackson County's composite risk score of 76th percentile is above the Michigan state average of 50th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (94th 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

Bay County

Michigan

+1.7

Relatively Low

78th percentile

Calhoun County

Michigan

-1.9

Relatively Low

75th percentile

Livingston County

Michigan

-3.0

Relatively Low

73th 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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