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

Luce County Disaster Risk

Luce County, Michigan

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

3th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#82

of 83 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

15th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Luce County, Michigan

Luce County enjoys exceptional safety

With a composite risk score of just 2.58, Luce County ranks as very low risk—among the safest counties in the nation. This remote Upper Peninsula county is sheltered from most major hazard exposures by its geography.

Second-safest county in Michigan

Luce County's composite risk score of 2.58 ranks it as Michigan's second-lowest risk county, trailing only Keweenaw County (0.67). The county faces virtually no tornado, earthquake, or hurricane risk.

Significantly safer than downstate counties

Luce County's risk score of 2.58 vastly exceeds the safety of neighboring Keweenaw County (0.67) but trounces all Lower Peninsula counties like Lake County (22.04). Its Upper Peninsula isolation provides natural protection.

Wildfire and flood are minimal concerns

Luce County's highest risk categories are wildfire (45.36) and flood (15.49), both remaining well below state averages. Tornado risk of 3.69 and earthquake risk of 2.29 are negligible, with zero hurricane risk.

Basic insurance covers your needs

Luce County's exceptionally low risk profile means standard homeowners insurance provides excellent protection without additional riders or specialized policies. Residents benefit from some of Michigan's most affordable insurance rates.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Luce County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    45th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    15th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    4th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Luce County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Luce County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 3th percentile. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Luce County's favorable 3th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Luce County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 45th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 15th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (4th percentile), earthquake (2th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 45th percentile nationally for wildfire, Luce County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. The county's flood exposure at the 15th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Luce County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Luce County is 47.0 composite risk points below the Michigan state mean, meaning most other Michigan counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Luce 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 Luce County, MI?
Luce County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 3th 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 Luce County?
Luce County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (45th percentile), flooding (15th percentile), tornado (4th percentile), earthquake (2th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 45th 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 Luce County risk compare to the Michigan average?
Luce County's composite risk percentile is 3th, compared to the Michigan state average of 50th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Luce County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Michigan.
Is Luce County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Luce County's wildfire risk is at the 45th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Luce County is at the 15th 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 Luce County a safe place to live?
Luce County's composite risk score of 3th 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 wildfire at the 45th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Ontonagon County

Michigan

+1.6

Very Low

4th percentile

Keweenaw County

Michigan

-1.9

Very Low

1th percentile

Schoolcraft County

Michigan

+4.2

Very Low

7th 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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