FEMA Records
18
Below median
Michigan · FEMA + NOAA + National Risk Index
Saginaw County, MI
18 FEMA disaster declarations (1973-2026), with a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate. Most common hazard: Severe Storm.
- 18
- FEMA declarations
- 14
- Major disasters
- 89
- NRI risk · Relatively Moderate
- Severe Storm
- Top hazard
The verdict
Two federal records point in the busier direction for Saginaw County. Its 18 FEMA declarations are 80% above the Michigan county mean and exceed the count for 37% of the 3,266 counties in this registry. Separately, FEMA's National Risk Index places it in the riskiest 11%, based on modeled expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience.
- Riskiest 11%
- of U.S. counties for FEMA National Risk Index score
- Relatively Moderate
- FEMA National Risk Index rating
- 18
- FEMA declarations vs 21 national county avg
- 792
- NFIP flood insurance claims filed
FEMA's National Risk Index and its declaration registry are separate measures. This county's registry includes Major Disaster (DR) and Emergency (EM) records; an EM authorizes a narrower set of federal assistance than a DR.
FEMA OpenFEMA declaration desk
County FIPS 26145 · Saginaw County 18 declarations · rank 1980/3,266
DECL-MID · MAJOR-MID · RANK-LOWER · PHOTO-FINISH · NRI-MID · ACT-HIGH · TYPE-LEAD · VS-ST-HIGH
- DECL-MID 18
- MAJOR-MID 78%
- RANK-LOWER #1,980
- PHOTO-FINISH Monroe
- NRI-MID 89
- ACT-HIGH High
- TYPE-LEAD Severe Storm
- VS-ST-HIGH +80%
Nearest declaration peer: Monroe, TN (0 declaration gap)
FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2 filing stamps for this county register. Read with this county → · Michigan state profile
Saginaw County in the declaration-count neighbourhood
FEMA declaration records among Saginaw County and nearest peers by total count
- Los Angeles · largest
Los Angeles · largest
88 declarations
- Brooke · near 18
Brooke · near
18 declarations
- Mecklenburg · near 18
Mecklenburg · near
18 declarations
- Monroe · near 18
Monroe · near
18 declarations
- Saginaw · this county 18
Saginaw · this county
18 declarations
- Ujelang · smallest 1
Ujelang · smallest
1 declarations
What this shows Saginaw County carries 18 FEMA declaration records, ranked 1980 of 3,266 counties in this registry.
How Saginaw County's FEMA declaration count compares nationally
Saginaw County vs. all counties in this dataset
FEMA disaster declarations, all-time · Saginaw County
18 37th percentile higher than 37% of 3,266 counties
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2 · 2026-08-25
Saginaw County's FEMA Risk Index score
Which hazard drives modeled loss here?
FEMA's modeled annual dollar loss for Saginaw County is led by Riverine Flooding (about $43.3M Expected Annual Loss, Historical Loss Ratio Relatively Low), while Winter Weather carries the highest National Risk Index rating (Very High). EAL and risk score use different inputs; they need not agree.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025 release) - Expected Annual Loss vs composite risk rating by hazard.
What does Saginaw County's hazard record show?
Reading the federal records together
FEMA's NFIP table contains a substantial paid-claim history for this county: 792 claims and $11.8M in payments. PlainHazard labels 500 or more claims a heavy registry record; that is a reporting bucket, not an official FEMA risk grade. The average paid claim was $14.9K. NFIP totals exclude uninsured flood losses and do not measure how many properties currently carry a policy.
The declaration register points in the busier direction. Saginaw County's 18 federal records stand 80% above the Michigan county mean of 10.0. That comparison describes how often federal action was recorded, including any Major Disaster, Emergency, and Fire Management entries shown on this page; it does not convert the count into future probability.
FEMA National Risk Index
This county sits among the highest-risk counties nationally on FEMA's National Risk Index, a composite score of 88.5/100 (Relatively Moderate). Expected Annual Loss is rated Relatively Moderate (roughly $71.9M in annualized losses). Social vulnerability reads Relatively Moderate and community resilience Very High, both critical modifiers of realized harm here. Of the 18 hazards FEMA models, Winter Weather stands out as the sharpest exposure here, rated Very High. FEMA's modeled frequency puts that hazard at an average of 11 times per year here, based on 210 historical events on record.
70 /100
Historical Activity Index
High historical activity
Saginaw County, MI · PlainHazard-derived composite from federal records
This 0–100 index is an explicit PlainHazard composite from FEMA declaration history only on the county surface (this DB has no county-level NOAA damage row) . It is not FEMA's National Risk Index, not a forecast, and not a safety, insurance, or preparedness rating. Open the calculator · Methodology
FEMA Declarations (1953–present) Moderate
13/30
18 OpenFEMA declarations, full ingest window (0.9x national county average)
County Disaster Density Very High
23/25
18 declarations (1.8x state county average of 10)
Major Disaster Share Very High
19/25
14 of 18 declarations are major disasters (78%)
Hazard Diversity Very High
15/20
6 different disaster types declared in Saginaw County
FEMA NRI 8-hazard radar - Saginaw County
How to read this radar
Each axis: NRI risk rating (Very Low-Very High) on a 0-100 scale. Rounder = broad exposure; spiky = one or two hazards dominate.
Major Disaster share
78%
Mostly major
NRI risk score
89
Relatively Moderate
Source: FEMA National Risk Index Per-county per-hazard ratings, December 2025 release
How often does each hazard strike Saginaw County?
FEMA's National Risk Index models a historical event count and an annualized frequency for each hazard type. Most hazards are expressed as modeled occurrences per year; FEMA expresses drought and heat-wave frequency as event-days per year. These modeled frequencies are not forecasts.
| Hazard | NRI Risk Rating | Recurrence |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Weather | Very High | an average of 11 times per year |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High | an average of 4.4 times per year |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High | an average of 2.9 times per year |
| Tornado | Relatively High | roughly once every 3 years |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Moderate | an average of 1.3 times per year |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate | an average of 2.3 times per year |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | 2.3 modeled event-days per year |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate | roughly once every 1 years |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | roughly once every 1,704 years |
| Hurricane | Very Low | roughly once every 45 years |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | an average of 32 times per year |
| Landslide | Very Low | roughly once every 10 years |
| Wildfire | Very Low | roughly once every 28,464 years |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index Modeled annualized frequency; drought and heat wave use event-days/year, December 2025 release
Disaster Types
Flood 6
Severe Storm 6
Biological 2
Snowstorm 2
Dam/Levee Break 1
Hurricane 1
What Severe Storm declarations mean here
Severe Storm is the most frequent declaration type on Saginaw County's record, 33% of its declarations. In FEMA's vocabulary this covers convective weather: thunderstorm straight-line winds, large hail, and the multi-day outbreaks that often carry embedded tornadoes. Activity is heaviest in spring and summer, though the season varies by region.
These events behave differently from a hurricane on paper. Damage tends to be distributed along a storm track rather than concentrated on a coastline, and a declaration typically follows an outbreak that crossed several counties over a few days, not a single point of impact. Because the qualifying threshold is the cost of uninsured public and individual losses rather than storm intensity, two similar storms can produce a declaration in one year and none in another.
Declaration counts describe past federal action. They are a record of what was declared, not a forecast of future hazard probability.
Declaration Types
What DR / EM / FM mean
FEMA categorizes declarations as Major Disasters (DR), Emergencies (EM), or Fire Management Assistance (FM).
Major Disaster - 14 77.8%
of all 18 declarations
Emergency - 4 22.2%
of all 18 declarations
FEMA Declarations Timeline
| Year | Declarations | |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | |
| 2020 | 3 | |
| 2013 | 1 | |
| 2008 | 1 | |
| 2005 | 1 | |
| 2004 | 1 | |
| 2001 | 1 | |
| 1998 | 1 | |
| 1997 | 1 | |
| 1996 | 1 | |
| 1986 | 1 | |
| 1985 | 1 | |
| 1978 | 1 | |
| 1976 | 1 | |
| 1975 | 1 | |
Show 1 earlier declaration years
| 1973 | 1 | |
Disaster Declarations
How the 18 FEMA declarations break into federal action codes (DR / EM / FM). Same DISTINCT grain as the table below.
Download these 18 declarations as CSV . FEMA source data is public domain; our derived presentation is CC0.
| DR# | Title | Type | Incident | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4925 | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING | DR | Flood | 2026-06-30 |
| 4547 | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING | DR | Dam/Levee Break | 2020-07-09 |
| 4494 | COVID-19 PANDEMIC | DR | Biological | 2020-03-27 |
| 3455 | COVID-19 | EM | Biological | 2020-03-13 |
| 4121 | FLOODING | DR | Flood | 2013-06-18 |
| 1777 | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING | DR | Severe Storm | 2008-07-14 |
| 3225 | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION | EM | Hurricane | 2005-09-07 |
| 1527 | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING | DR | Severe Storm | 2004-06-30 |
| 3160 | SNOW | EM | Snowstorm | 2001-01-10 |
| 1226 | SEVERE STORMS | DR | Severe Storm | 1998-06-24 |
| 1181 | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES,AND FLOODING | DR | Severe Storm | 1997-07-11 |
| 1128 | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING | DR | Severe Storm | 1996-07-23 |
| 774 | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING | DR | Flood | 1986-09-18 |
| 744 | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING | DR | Flood | 1985-09-18 |
| 3057 | BLIZZARDS & SNOWSTORMS | EM | Snowstorm | 1978-01-27 |
| 495 | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, ICING & FLOODING | DR | Severe Storm | 1976-03-19 |
| 486 | SEVERE STORMS, HIGH WINDS & FLOODING | DR | Flood | 1975-09-30 |
| 371 | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING | DR | Flood | 1973-04-12 |
Storm Events in Michigan
Statewide NOAA context only. PlainHazard does not currently attribute these state totals to Saginaw County.
| Storm Type | Events | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunderstorm Wind | 3,010 | 10 | 18 | $173.8M |
| Winter Storm | 1,486 | 3 | 11 | $41.8M |
| Winter Weather | 1,254 | 21 | 38 | $892.0K |
| Hail | 962 | 0 | 0 | $77.1M |
| High Wind | 389 | 3 | 2 | $668.9M |
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database State-level aggregated data, 2015-2025
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims
Total Claims
792
Total Paid
$11.8M
Avg Per Claim
$14.9K
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) OpenFEMA Claims Data
FEMA National Risk Index
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Score: 88.5/100
Expected Annual Loss
Relatively Moderate
$71.9M/year
Social Vulnerability
Relatively Moderate
Community Resilience
Very High
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Winter Weather Very High
Strong Wind Relatively High
Cold Wave Relatively High
Tornado Relatively High
Riverine Flooding Relatively Moderate
Hail Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Earthquake Relatively Low
Hurricane Very Low
Lightning Relatively Low
Landslide Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Drought No Rating
Source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI) Ratings reflect relative scores among all US counties. Data: hazards.fema.gov/nri
The model's sharpest exposure here: Winter Weather
Winter Weather in the model means the accumulation of snow and cold that disrupts rather than destroys: road closures, roof loads, burst pipes and lost heating. Its costs land heavily on transport and on households least able to absorb an interruption.
Worth noting for Saginaw County: the model and the federal record do NOT point at the same hazard. Winter Weather carries the highest modeled rating (Very High), while the county's declaration history is led by Severe Storm. That is not a contradiction, the two measure genuinely different things. Declarations record federal ACTION, which requires damage costly enough to exceed state and local capacity; the Risk Index models EXPECTED annual loss across all 18 hazards whether or not any declaration ever followed. A hazard can be the county's largest modeled exposure and never once have driven a declaration.
National Risk Index ratings are modeled estimates of expected annual loss, not predictions of what will happen in any given year.
Data-matched county comparisons
Saginaw County's closest FEMA peer: Walton County, FL
Comparisons use published FEMA declaration fields plus the National Risk Index composite for Saginaw County. Record similarity, not a safety rating.
Similar modeled NRI score
Saginaw County: NRI composite 88.5 (Relatively Moderate).
Similar Major-disaster share
Saginaw County: 14 of 18 of its declarations are Major.
Closest declaration profiles
Saginaw County shows 18 FEMA declarations, led by Severe Storm.
How these peers are chosen
Cohort: Published U.S. county equivalents outside the source state or territory. Each metric keeps six ETL candidates; three unique destinations are shown after de-duplicating across axes. Declaration-volume ranking combines count and Major-disaster share and prefers a different leading incident type; Major-share ranks the Major fraction adjusted for volume; NRI ranks the modeled composite score only.
Retained FEMA snapshot feed for Saginaw County - capture-dated entries only.
Compare beyond this state
Nationwide peers by NRI score & FEMA declaration volume
Two PlainHazard-derived comparison paths for Saginaw County: nearest out-of-state National Risk Index composite and nearest FEMA declaration count (floor ≥5 records). Record similarity only, not a forecast of the next hazard.
Similar NRI composite
Nearest out-of-state counties by FEMA NRI score. This county: 88.5 (Relatively Moderate).
Similar declaration volume
Nearest out-of-state counties by FEMA declaration count. This county: 18. NRI peers are excluded so the two link sets stay distinct.
Further reading for this county
Understanding disaster data
Saginaw County's NFIP claims file (792 claims) and FEMA declaration history measure different federal records - this guide separates them from modeled NRI risk.
More PlainHazard guides
- Most disaster-prone counties - U.S. counties ranked by FEMA declaration totals.
- Understanding disaster data - declarations vs storm events vs NRI scores.
- Preparing for natural disasters - household checklist (not county-specific advice).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common disaster type in Saginaw County?
The most common disaster type in Saginaw County is Severe Storm, with 6 declarations. Other disaster types include Flood (6), Biological (2), Snowstorm (2).
How does Saginaw County's FEMA declaration record compare with the Michigan average?
FEMA lists 18 declaration records for Saginaw County. That is 80% above the Michigan county mean of 10.0. Its count is also 13% below the national county mean of 20.7. A larger declaration history records more federal actions; it is not a forecast of the county's next hazard.
How many major FEMA disaster declarations has Saginaw County received?
Saginaw County has received 14 major disaster declarations, representing 78% of all 18 disaster declarations.
How many flood insurance claims has Saginaw County filed?
Saginaw County has 792 National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims totaling $11.8M in payments, with an average of $14.9K per claim.
Does FEMA's top risk-rated hazard match the highest Expected Annual Loss in Saginaw County?
No. In Saginaw County, Winter Weather has the highest National Risk Index rating (Very High), while Riverine Flooding leads Expected Annual Loss at about $43.3M. FEMA's risk score and dollar-loss model use different inputs, so the leaders often differ.
What was the worst year for disasters in Saginaw County?
The most active year for disaster declarations in Saginaw County was 2020, with 3 declarations. The county has FEMA disaster data spanning 1973 to 2026.
What is the FEMA National Risk Index score for Saginaw County?
According to the FEMA National Risk Index, Saginaw County, Michigan has an overall risk score of 88.5 out of 100 (Relatively Moderate). On social vulnerability the county rates Relatively Moderate; on community resilience, Very High. The Expected Annual Loss (EAL) score is Relatively Moderate, representing $71.9M in annualized losses.
Which natural hazard poses the greatest risk to Saginaw County?
The top hazard flagged by FEMA's NRI for Saginaw County is Winter Weather (risk rating: Very High). Other significant hazards include Strong Wind (Relatively High) and Cold Wave (Relatively High). FEMA's modeled event frequency puts winter weather here at an average of 11 times per year, drawn from 210 historical events on record. These scores are based on FEMA's analysis of historical event frequency, exposed assets, and community vulnerability.
Data Sources & Methodology
Disaster declaration data comes from the FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2 API, which includes all federally declared disasters, emergencies, and fire management assistance grants.
Storm event data is sourced from the NOAA Storm Events Database (2015-2025), which tracks significant weather events including thunderstorms, tornadoes, floods, and winter storms.
Flood insurance data comes from the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) OpenFEMA claims dataset.
This data is provided for informational purposes only. FEMA disaster declarations represent federal response actions and may not capture all local emergencies or weather events.
FEMA OpenFEMA declarations + NRI for Saginaw County · vintage 2026-08-25 · Methodology · Michigan profile · Verify with FEMA OpenFEMA · Verify with NOAA Storm Events