Saginaw County

Michigan — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Medium

Composite Risk Score

88.5

National percentile: 89th

Saginaw County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 88.5, 89th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $72M.

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

Expected Annual Loss $72M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Medium Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very High Capacity to recover
Population 190K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Winter Weather
Very High $1M/yr
Strong Wind
High $4M/yr
Cold Wave
High $11M/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Winter Weather Very High 11.05 / yr $1M
Strong Wind High 4.39 / yr $4M
Cold Wave High 2.89 / yr $11M
Tornado High 0.34 / yr $9M
Riverine Flood Medium 1.25 / yr $43M
Hail Medium 2.31 / yr $1M
Heat Wave Low 2.26 / yr $1M
Ice Storm Medium 0.91 / yr $287K
Earthquake Low 0.00 / yr $431K
Hurricane Very Low 0.02 / yr $73K
Lightning Low 32.15 / yr $198K
Landslide Very Low 0.10 / yr $333
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $5K
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 Saginaw County?

Saginaw County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 88.5 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 89th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Saginaw County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Very High, $1M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $4M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $11M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Saginaw County compare to other Michigan counties?

Saginaw County ranks #7 of 83 Michigan counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Saginaw County's $72M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.