riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Leelanau County Disaster Risk

Leelanau County, Michigan

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

48th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#44

of 83 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

42th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Leelanau County

Risk Verdict

Leelanau County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 48th 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

Flood risk is the dominant hazard for Leelanau County, scoring in the 42th percentile nationally. It is followed by tornado risk at the 19th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (15th), hurricane (12th), earthquake (4th).

Preparedness Context

With flood risk as the top concern, Leelanau County residents should review flood insurance needs (standard home insurance does not cover flood damage), know your evacuation zone, and keep important documents waterproofed. Secondary risks such as tornado 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

Leelanau County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Michigan. Its composite risk score is within 1.2 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 Leelanau County, MI?
Leelanau County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 48th 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 Leelanau County?
Leelanau County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (42th percentile), tornado (19th percentile), wildfire (15th percentile), hurricane (12th percentile), earthquake (4th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 42th 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 Leelanau County risk compare to the Michigan average?
Leelanau County's composite risk percentile is 48th, compared to the Michigan state average of 50th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Leelanau County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Michigan.
Is Leelanau County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Leelanau County's flooding risk is at the 42th 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 Leelanau County a safe place to live?
Leelanau County's composite risk score of 48th 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 42th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Cass County

Michigan

-0.6

Relatively Low

48th percentile

Clare County

Michigan

-0.9

Relatively Low

47th percentile

Newaygo County

Michigan

-1.3

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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