Houghton County
Michigan — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 24th
Houghton County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 24.3, 24th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 35.29 / yr | $346K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.72 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Low | 21.55 / yr | $226K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.75 / yr | $7M |
| Hail | Low | 0.65 / yr | $219K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.49 / yr | $5K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.80 / yr | $194K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.27 / yr | $96 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $25K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $34K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Earthquake | 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 Houghton County?
Houghton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 24.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 24th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Houghton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $346K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL), Lightning (Low, $226K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Houghton County compare to other Michigan counties?
Houghton County ranks #63 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. Houghton County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.