Chippewa County

Michigan — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

26.3

National percentile: 26th

Chippewa County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 26.3, 26th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $8M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Medium Population sensitivity
Community Resilience High Capacity to recover
Population 37K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Wildfire
Low $242K/yr
Cold Wave
Low $1M/yr
Landslide
Very Low $1K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Wildfire Low 0.00 / yr $242K
Cold Wave Low 1.97 / yr $1M
Landslide Very Low 0.23 / yr $1K
Riverine Flood Low 0.21 / yr $6M
Coastal Flood Low 0.02 / yr $39K
Winter Weather Low 32.35 / yr $37K
Lightning Low 21.07 / yr $127K
Hurricane Very Low 0.01 / yr $4K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $13K
Hail Very Low 0.18 / yr $31K
Heat Wave Very Low 0.11 / yr $11K
Ice Storm Very Low 0.02 / yr $3K
Strong Wind Very Low 0.19 / yr $49K
Tornado Very Low 0.06 / yr $34K
Avalanche Very Low 0.00 / yr $0
Drought 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 Chippewa County?

Chippewa County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 26.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 26th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Chippewa County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $242K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $1M EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $1K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Chippewa County compare to other Michigan counties?

Chippewa County ranks #59 of 83 Michigan counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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. Chippewa County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.