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

Presque Isle County Disaster Risk

Presque Isle County, Michigan

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

22th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#68

of 83 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

44th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Presque Isle County, Michigan

Presque Isle: well below national risk average

Presque Isle County's composite risk score of 21.76 earns it a Very Low rating, placing it comfortably below the national average for natural disaster exposure. The county's Upper Peninsula location provides inherent protection from many widespread hazard types.

Safer than most Michigan counties

At 21.76, Presque Isle's score sits well below Michigan's state average of 49.56, ranking it among the state's lower-risk counties. The remote northern location and limited tornado activity contribute to this favorable profile.

Middle of the road for northeast Michigan

Presque Isle (21.76) sits between Oscoda (15.14) and Osceola (23.92), representing a typical risk level for the region's safe counties. All three are vastly safer than Roscommon (56.68) to the south or Ottawa (82.89) downstate.

Flood risk leads other modest hazards

Flood risk (43.96) is Presque Isle's highest hazard, while tornado risk (20.13) and hurricane risk (23.40) remain relatively low. Wildfire risk (14.06) and earthquake risk (9.13) pose minimal concern for county residents.

Standard insurance with flood awareness

Presque Isle residents should maintain standard homeowner's insurance and consider flood coverage if property lies in mapped flood zones or near inland water bodies. Basic storm preparedness and awareness of evacuation routes provide adequate protection for this low-risk county.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Presque Isle County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    44th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    23th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    20th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Presque Isle County

Risk Verdict

Presque Isle County's overall natural disaster score at the 22th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Presque Isle County residents can take confidence from a 22th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Presque Isle County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 44th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 23th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (20th percentile), wildfire (14th percentile), earthquake (9th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Flood risk is Presque Isle County's top hazard at the 44th percentile nationally. Households in or near designated flood zones face elevated financial exposure; flood insurance typically requires a 30-day waiting period before it takes effect, so applying before the season is advisable. Secondary hurricane exposure at the 23th percentile adds a second preparedness layer; households should review coverage options and alert sign-up for both hazard types. Households across Presque Isle County should identify the nearest community shelter and keep a basic emergency kit — water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlight, and battery radio — in a location easy to grab quickly.

Regional Context

Presque Isle County's composite risk score sits 27.8 points below the Michigan county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Presque Isle 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 Presque Isle County, MI?
Presque Isle County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 22th 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 Presque Isle County?
Presque Isle County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (44th percentile), hurricane (23th percentile), tornado (20th percentile), wildfire (14th percentile), earthquake (9th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 44th 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 Presque Isle County risk compare to the Michigan average?
Presque Isle County's composite risk percentile is 22th, compared to the Michigan state average of 50th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Presque Isle County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Michigan.
Is Presque Isle County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Presque Isle County's flooding risk is at the 44th 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 Presque Isle County a safe place to live?
Presque Isle County's composite risk score of 22th 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 44th 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.