Mecosta County
Michigan — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 70th
Mecosta County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 69.8, 70th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $24M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Very High | 2.30 / yr | $11M |
| Winter Weather | High | 19.26 / yr | $424K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.19 / yr | $4K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.00 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.50 / yr | $8M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.17 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.85 / yr | $76K |
| Lightning | Low | 30.25 / yr | $200K |
| Hail | Low | 1.57 / yr | $189K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.84 / yr | $105K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $50K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $10K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | 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 Mecosta County?
Mecosta County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 69.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 70th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Mecosta County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Very High, $11M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $424K EAL), Landslide (Low, $4K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Mecosta County compare to other Michigan counties?
Mecosta County ranks #24 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. Mecosta County's $24M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.