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

Montcalm County Disaster Risk

Montcalm County, Michigan

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

57th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#36

of 83 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

62th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Montcalm County, Michigan

Montcalm faces above-average disaster risk

At 56.87, Montcalm County's composite risk score exceeds the national average, earning a "Relatively Low" rating that reflects moderate but manageable hazard exposure. The county's risk level is notably higher than the safest Michigan counties but lower than the state's highest-risk areas.

Solidly above Michigan's average risk

Montcalm's score of 56.87 ranks it above the state average of 49.56, placing the county in Michigan's riskier half. However, it falls well short of the state's most hazardous counties, occupying a middle ground in statewide disaster exposure.

Riskier than Missaukee but safer than Muskegon

Montcalm's 56.87 score sits between Missaukee County (11.10) to the north and Muskegon County (70.10) to the west, making it a transitional risk zone in west-central Michigan. Newaygo County (47.07) presents similar exposure levels nearby.

Tornadoes and floods are the primary hazards

Tornado risk of 76.46 and flood risk of 61.64 dominate the county's hazard profile, creating dual exposure to severe weather and water damage. These two hazards account for the bulk of Montcalm's above-average composite score.

Flood and wind coverage are priorities

Montcalm County homeowners should secure standard insurance with tornado/wind riders and evaluate their flood risk carefully—flood insurance is essential for properties in mapped flood zones. Review your home's location relative to flood plains and tornado-prone corridors before finalizing coverage.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Montcalm County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    76th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    62th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    41th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Montcalm County

Risk Verdict

Montcalm County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 57th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Montcalm County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Montcalm County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 76th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 62th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (41th percentile), wildfire (32th percentile), hurricane (26th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado risk is Montcalm County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 76th percentile nationally. For Montcalm County households, the most protective action available is identifying a reinforced interior room on the lowest floor — a bathroom, closet, or central hallway away from windows. Flood is the second hazard driver for Montcalm County at the 62th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. A battery-powered NOAA All Hazards weather radio with an auto-alert tone is the highest-leverage single item for tornado preparedness in Montcalm County, since it delivers warnings even when power is out and phone networks are congested.

Regional Context

Montcalm County's composite risk score sits 7.3 points above the Michigan county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Montcalm 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 Montcalm County, MI?
Montcalm County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 57th 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 Montcalm County?
Montcalm County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (76th percentile), flooding (62th percentile), earthquake (41th percentile), wildfire (32th percentile), hurricane (26th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 76th 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 Montcalm County risk compare to the Michigan average?
Montcalm County's composite risk percentile is 57th, compared to the Michigan state average of 50th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Montcalm County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Michigan.
Is Montcalm County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Montcalm County's tornado risk is at the 76th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Montcalm County is at the 62th 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 Montcalm County higher risk than average?
Montcalm County's composite risk score of 57th percentile is above the Michigan state average of 50th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (76th percentile), along with flooding 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

Roscommon County

Michigan

-0.2

Relatively Low

57th percentile

Ionia County

Michigan

-1.0

Relatively Low

56th percentile

St. Joseph County

Michigan

+1.7

Relatively Low

59th 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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