Natural Disaster Risk in Ontonagon County

Natural Hazard Profile: Ontonagon County, Michigan

Ontonagon County is located in the United States in Michigan, home to roughly 5,803 residents. The county 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 natural hazards faced by its communities. FEMA assesses risk at this county level, providing the baseline for every city and ZIP code within its boundaries.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Ontonagon County carries an overall risk score of 3.7/10, placing it in the low category. Coastal flood risk defines the local natural hazard environment, with sea-level rise trends gradually increasing the frequency of tidal flooding events alongside storm surge threats. The area also faces notable exposure to winter and tsunami.

Ontonagon County's risk score, considerably below the 5.3/10 state average and below the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Ontonagon County, the highest-scoring are coastal flood, winter, and tsunami. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

Despite its lower-than-average risk classification, Ontonagon County is not immune to natural hazards. Basic preparedness — an emergency kit, awareness of seasonal risks, and property insurance that covers coastal flood — remains prudent for all residents.