Marquette County Disaster Risk
Marquette County, Michigan
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
70th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#24
of 83 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
59th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 59% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 69% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 22% 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 Marquette County, Michigan
Marquette County faces above-average disaster risk
With a composite risk score of 69.78 and a "Relatively Low" rating, Marquette County ranks above the national median but remains in the middle-risk category nationally. The county's position reflects significant but manageable natural hazard exposure.
Above average for Michigan, but relatively stable
Marquette County's 69.78 score exceeds Michigan's state average of 49.56, placing it in the upper-middle tier of state risk rankings. However, its "Relatively Low" rating indicates residents face more typical Upper Peninsula hazard patterns.
Wildfire risk distinguishes Marquette in the region
Marquette County's wildfire risk (68.70) significantly exceeds that of neighboring Menominee County (33.33), making it the region's wildfire hotspot. Its overall score of 69.78 also tops most adjacent Upper Peninsula counties.
Wildfires and flooding drive Marquette's risk profile
Wildfire risk (68.70) and flood risk (59.13) are Marquette's primary hazards, while tornado risk (21.50) remains minimal. Notably, the county faces zero hurricane risk and negligible earthquake danger (1.75).
Wildfire preparedness is critical in Marquette
Homeowners should create defensible space around properties, trim overhanging branches, and clear gutters to reduce wildfire vulnerability. Maintain flood insurance for properties in low-lying areas and keep an emergency evacuation plan updated, particularly during fire season.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Marquette County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Marquette County
Risk Verdict
Marquette County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 70th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Marquette County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Marquette County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 69th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 59th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (22th percentile), earthquake (2th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire is Marquette County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 69th percentile nationally. Marquette County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. Alongside wildfire, flood at the 59th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. For Marquette County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.
Regional Context
Marquette County's composite risk score sits 20.2 points above the Michigan county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Marquette County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Marquette County, MI?
What types of natural hazards affect Marquette County?
How does Marquette County risk compare to the Michigan average?
Is Marquette County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Marquette County higher risk than average?
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.