Sterling Heights, MI
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Sterling Heights is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Macomb County, MI. The county's highest-rated hazards are tornado, cold wave, and strong wind.
Storm events near Sterling Heights
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Sterling Heights's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Sterling Heights itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Macomb County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Sterling Heights along with the rest of the county, not a Sterling Heights-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 41.7 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 97.5 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | 46.6 | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | 83.6 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 94.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 99.3 | Very High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 99 | Very High |
| Drought | 0 | No Rating |
| Hail | 90.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 49.9 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 98.2 | Very High |
| Landslide | 36.4 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 88.6 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 98.6 | Very High |
| Tsunami | — | Insufficient Data |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 88.4 | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Macomb County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Macomb County:
More on Macomb County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Sterling Heights, MI at risk of?
Sterling Heights is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Macomb County, where Sterling Heights is located, are tornado, cold wave, and strong wind.
What is Sterling Heights's biggest natural hazard risk?
Tornado is the highest-rated hazard for Macomb County, where Sterling Heights is located, scoring 99.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Sterling Heights a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Sterling Heights carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Macomb County.
Has Sterling Heights had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 4 tornado, 53 hail, 66 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Sterling Heights since 2016.