Branch County
Michigan — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 52th
Branch County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 51.8, 52th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 2.88 / yr | $699K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.26 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.15 / yr | $842K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.01 / yr | $8M |
| Drought | Low | 0.84 / yr | $239K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.59 / yr | $112K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.05 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $294K |
| Lightning | Low | 37.24 / yr | $218K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $459 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.47 / yr | $165K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 12.79 / yr | $33K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $17K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Branch County?
Branch County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 51.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 52th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Branch County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $699K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $842K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Branch County compare to other Michigan counties?
Branch County ranks #42 of 83 Michigan counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Branch County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.