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

Missaukee County Disaster Risk

Missaukee County, Michigan

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

11th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#76

of 83 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

22th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 22% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Missaukee County, Michigan

Missaukee's natural disaster risk ranks very low

With a composite risk score of 11.10, Missaukee County sits well below the national average and faces substantially lower overall natural disaster exposure than most U.S. counties. This "Very Low" rating reflects relatively modest hazard risks across all major disaster types, from tornadoes to earthquakes.

Among Michigan's safest counties

Missaukee's score of 11.10 ranks it as one of the lowest-risk counties in Michigan, where the state average composite risk is 49.56. This means residents face roughly one-quarter of the typical natural disaster risk compared to other Michigan communities.

Safer than surrounding counties

Missaukee's 11.10 score outperforms neighboring Montcalm County (56.87) and Newaygo County (47.07), making it one of the more protected areas in west-central Michigan. Only Montmorency County (15.87) nearby presents a comparably low risk profile.

Wildfire and flood are the primary concerns

Wildfire risk ranks highest at 35.15, followed by tornado risk at 25.19—both still well below state and national averages. Flood risk of 21.95 and earthquake risk of 10.18 present minimal threat to the county's residents.

Homeowners insurance protects against limited threats

While Missaukee County faces low overall disaster risk, standard homeowners policies should cover the modest wildfire and tornado exposure. Residents in flood-prone areas should verify whether flood insurance is included, as standard policies typically exclude flood damage.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Missaukee County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    35th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    25th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    22th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Missaukee County

Risk Verdict

Missaukee County's overall natural disaster score at the 11th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Even at the 11th percentile, Missaukee County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Missaukee County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 35th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 25th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (22th percentile), hurricane (18th percentile), earthquake (10th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire ranked at the 35th percentile nationally, Missaukee County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Missaukee County households to have on hand before fire season. The county's tornado exposure at the 25th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Missaukee County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Missaukee County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.

Regional Context

Missaukee County's composite risk score sits 38.5 points below the Michigan county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Missaukee 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 Missaukee County, MI?
Missaukee County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 11th 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 Missaukee County?
Missaukee County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (35th percentile), tornado (25th percentile), flooding (22th percentile), hurricane (18th percentile), earthquake (10th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 35th 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 Missaukee County risk compare to the Michigan average?
Missaukee County's composite risk percentile is 11th, compared to the Michigan state average of 50th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Missaukee County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Michigan.
Is Missaukee County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Missaukee County's wildfire risk is at the 35th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Missaukee County is at the 22th 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 Missaukee County a safe place to live?
Missaukee County's composite risk score of 11th 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 35th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.