Traverse City, MI
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Traverse City is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Grand Traverse County, MI. The county's highest-rated hazards are winter weather, cold wave, and landslide.
Storm events near Traverse City
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Traverse City's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Traverse City 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 Grand Traverse County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Traverse City along with the rest of the county, not a Traverse City-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 31 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 58 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | 32.6 | Very Low |
| Earthquake | 15 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 33.5 | Very Low |
| Tornado | 43 | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 95.6 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 0 | No Rating |
| Hail | 53.1 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 18.1 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 9.5 | Very Low |
| Landslide | 78.2 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 66.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 58.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Insufficient Data |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 98 | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Grand Traverse County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Grand Traverse County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Traverse City, MI at risk of?
Traverse City is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Grand Traverse County, where Traverse City is located, are winter weather, cold wave, and landslide.
What is Traverse City's biggest natural hazard risk?
Winter Weather is the highest-rated hazard for Grand Traverse County, where Traverse City is located, scoring 98 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Traverse City a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Traverse City carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Grand Traverse County.
Has Traverse City had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 4 tornado, 37 hail, 16 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Traverse City since 2016.