Van Buren County
Michigan — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 60th
Van Buren County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 60.5, 60th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $20M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 1.86 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | High | 3.66 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.96 / yr | $537K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.40 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.36 / yr | $9M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 28.95 / yr | $86K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.26 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $2K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $304K |
| Lightning | Low | 35.87 / yr | $242K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.68 / yr | $267K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $13K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Avalanche | 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 Van Buren County?
Van Buren County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 60.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 60th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Van Buren County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $3M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $537K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Van Buren County compare to other Michigan counties?
Van Buren County ranks #31 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. Van Buren County's $20M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.