Delta County
Michigan — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 53th
Delta County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 53.1, 53th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Medium | 3.63 / yr | $5M |
| Hail | Medium | 0.89 / yr | $885K |
| Lightning | Medium | 25.14 / yr | $339K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.43 / yr | $8M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $1K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $39K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.90 / yr | $340K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 18.69 / yr | $22K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $288K |
| Drought | Very Low | 1.52 / yr | $5K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $9K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $24K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | 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 Delta County?
Delta County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 53.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 53th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Delta County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $5M EAL), Hail (Medium, $885K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $339K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Delta County compare to other Michigan counties?
Delta County ranks #41 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. Delta County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.