Natural Disaster Risk in Dollar Bay
Michigan
Risk Summary for Dollar Bay
Dollar Bay scores 4.2/10 (Moderate risk), near the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Coastal Flooding.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Average risk — standard coverage usually sufficient
This area carries average natural disaster risk. A standard homeowners or renters policy should cover common events, but review the exclusions for floods and earthquakes, which are almost never included by default.
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Dollar Bay, Michigan
Dollar Bay is a small community of about 842 in Houghton County, in the northern tier of the continental United States. The area experiences severe winters amplified by lake-effect snow and warm, humid summers, with intense lake-effect snowstorms off Lake Michigan and Lake Erie shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Dollar Bay.
FEMA rates Dollar Bay's composite natural disaster risk at 4.2 out of 10 — moderate risk. The risk of coastal inundation tops the local hazard profile, with the area exposed to storm surge, tidal flooding, and wave action during major coastal storm events. Residents should also account for winter and cold wave risk in their preparedness planning.
Dollar Bay's risk score, slightly below the 5.3/10 state average and near the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Houghton County, the highest-scoring are coastal flood, winter, and cold wave. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.
Dollar Bay's moderate risk profile means that while catastrophic events are less frequent, they do occur. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers many common hazards here, but confirming that coastal flood exposure is adequately protected is a worthwhile step for property owners.
What this means for Dollar Bay: Coastal Flooding preparedness
- Coastal flood and storm-surge damage requires separate flood insurance, not standard homeowners coverage.
- Know your evacuation zone and monitor tidal and surge forecasts during coastal storms.
- Elevate utilities and consider flood-resistant construction in low-lying shoreline areas.
Local Factors for Dollar Bay
These city-level factors differentiate Dollar Bay from other communities in Houghton County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
842
RuralGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Northern Continental
Latitude 47.1°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Lower — moist climate limits wildfire frequency
Fire score: 3.2/10
Coordinates
47.1237° N, 88.4952° W
Houghton County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for Dollar Bay
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Dollar Bay
Other cities in Michigan
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.