Iron County
Michigan — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 55th
Iron County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 55.1, 55th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 6.26 / yr | $10M |
| Hail | Medium | 1.18 / yr | $497K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 16.00 / yr | $41K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $23K |
| Lightning | Low | 25.68 / yr | $115K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.30 / yr | $182K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.43 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Very Low | 3.15 / yr | $8K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $139K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $60 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $4K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $13K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $879 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / 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 Iron County?
Iron County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 55.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 55th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Iron County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $10M EAL), Hail (Medium, $497K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $41K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Iron County compare to other Michigan counties?
Iron County ranks #39 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. Iron County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.