St. Joseph County
Michigan — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 59th
St. Joseph County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 58.6, 59th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $19M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 2.66 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.79 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 37.73 / yr | $602K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.14 / yr | $11M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.53 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.24 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Low | 0.78 / yr | $296K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $442K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $2K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.23 / yr | $80K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 16.47 / yr | $53K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $25K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.47 / yr | $156K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | 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 St. Joseph County?
St. Joseph County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 58.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 59th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in St. Joseph County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Lightning (Medium, $602K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does St. Joseph County compare to other Michigan counties?
St. Joseph County ranks #35 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. St. Joseph County's $19M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.