Natural Disaster Risk in Oak Park
Michigan
Risk Summary for Oak Park
Oak Park scores 7.6/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Ice Storm.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Above-average risk — check your policy limits
Standard homeowners insurance may not fully cover all hazards rated highly in this area. Verify that your policy includes adequate coverage for the top local hazards, and ask your insurer about specific endorsements or separate policies (e.g., flood, earthquake).
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Oak Park, Michigan
Oak Park is a city of approximately 29,318 residents in Oakland County, in the Great Lakes region. 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 Oak Park.
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Oak Park carries an overall risk score of 7.6/10, placing it in the high category. The area faces significant ice storm exposure, where the thermal profile of the atmosphere during winter storms frequently delivers freezing rain rather than snow. The area also faces notable exposure to tornado and cold wave.
Oak Park's risk score, considerably above the 5.3/10 state average and well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Oakland County, the highest-scoring are ice storm, tornado, and cold wave. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.
Oak Park's high risk designation reflects meaningful exposure to natural hazards. Residents should verify that their insurance covers the area's primary risks, prepare a family emergency plan, and stay informed about seasonal hazard peaks through local weather and emergency management services.
What this means for Oak Park: Ice Storm preparedness
- Prepare for multi-day power outages, as ice accretion frequently downs power lines.
- Keep walkways treated and avoid travel during freezing-rain events.
- Have a backup heat source and charged devices ready before winter storms arrive.
Local Factors for Oak Park
These city-level factors differentiate Oak Park from other communities in Oakland County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
29,318
SuburbanGeographic Zone
Great Lakes
Lake-effect snow & wind risk
Climate Band
Cool Continental
Latitude 42.5°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Moderate — seasonal fire risk
Fire score: 6.3/10
Coordinates
42.4649° N, 83.1824° W
Oakland 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 Oak Park
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Oak Park
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.