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Saginaw County, Michigan

Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.

Relatively Moderate overall risk
7th of 83highest risk in Michigan
$72Mexpected losses a year
16federal declarations
1 in 91homes with flood insurance
Photo: U.S. Geological Survey, public domain

Saginaw County, Michigan has a moderate overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is higher than 88% of US counties. It ranks 7th of 83 counties in Michigan. The costliest hazards here are inland flooding, cold waves and tornadoes. FEMA estimates about $72 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $378 per resident. Since 1973 it has been included in 16 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (13 major disasters). The most recent was in June 2026 (severe storms, tornadoes and flooding). About 1 in 91 homes here carry federal flood insurance (841 policies). Since 1978, federal flood insurance has paid about $12 million on 798 claims here, including $6.9 million for floods in 2020.

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; OpenFEMA declarations to Nov 6, 2026; NFIP records. Updated November 6, 2026.

Top risks in Saginaw County

$43.3 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about once a year.
  • Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
  • Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
$10.8 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about 3 times a year.
  • Insulate pipes in outside walls, crawl spaces and garages.
  • Know how to shut off the main water valve.
$9.2 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about once every 3 years.
  • Pick a shelter spot: a basement, or an inside room on the lowest floor with no windows.
  • Turn on emergency alerts on your phone and keep a weather radio.
HazardRatingScoreExpected loss a year
Inland floodingModerate91.4
$43M
Cold waveHigh94.9
$11M
TornadoHigh93.3
$9M
Strong windHigh97.2
$4M
Heat waveLow77.8
$1M
HailModerate86.0
$1M
Winter weatherVery High97.9
$1M
EarthquakeLow59.7
$431K
Ice stormModerate75.6
$287K
LightningLow46.4
$198K
HurricaneVery Low50.5
$73K
WildfireVery Low16.0
$5K
LandslideVery Low31.5
$333

Scores are percentiles: a score of 90 means higher risk than about 90% of US counties for that hazard. Hazards FEMA does not rate here are left out. Social vulnerability is relatively moderate and community resilience is very high in FEMA's measures.

Federal disaster history

Recent disasters nationwide ›

Declarations by decade

Federal declarations for natural events that included Saginaw County. 2020s bar runs to November 2026.

By type

Flood6
Severe Storm6
Snowstorm2
Hurricane1
Dam/Levee Break1

Most recent

Jun 30, 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and FloodingMajor disaster
Jul 9, 2020Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disaster
Jun 18, 2013FloodingMajor disaster
Jul 14, 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and FloodingMajor disaster
Sep 7, 2005Hurricane Katrina EvacuationEmergency
Jun 30, 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and FloodingMajor disaster
Jan 10, 2001SnowEmergency
Jun 24, 1998Severe StormsMajor disaster
Jul 11, 1997Severe Storms, Tornadoes,And FloodingMajor disaster
Jul 23, 1996Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disaster
Show all 16
Sep 18, 1986Severe Storms & FloodingMajor disaster
Sep 18, 1985Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disaster
Jan 27, 1978Blizzards & SnowstormsEmergency
Mar 19, 1976Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Icing & FloodingMajor disaster
Sep 30, 1975Severe Storms, High Winds & FloodingMajor disaster
Apr 12, 1973Severe Storms & FloodingMajor disaster

Michigan also had 6 statewide declarations that did not name single counties.

Storm history since 1953

Tornado risk by county ›

The National Weather Service has logged 480 storm reports in Saginaw County since 1953, with 0 deaths and 9 injuries and about $28.7 million in reported damage. The strongest on record here was an F3 tornado on June 21, 1996 near Frankenmuth.

30tornadoes
126hail reports, largest 3.5 inches
300damaging thunderstorm winds
17floods and flash floods

Strongest tornadoes

DateStrengthNearHurt / killed
Jun 21, 1996F3Frankenmuth0 / 0
Jun 15, 1982F2–3 / 0
Apr 28, 1986F2–0 / 0
Jun 5, 1953F2–0 / 0
May 12, 1956F2–0 / 0

Most damaging storms

DateTypeNearDamage
May 18, 2020FloodFordney$9M
Jun 21, 1996TornadoFrankenmuth$5M
Jun 15, 1982Tornado–$3M
Apr 28, 1986Tornado–$3M
Apr 19, 2013FloodTri City Airport Sa$1M
Jun 21, 1996Flash FloodNrn 1/2 of Co.$1M

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, county-based reports through Jul 21, 2026. Tornado records start in 1950, hail and wind in 1955, and floods and other storm types in 1996, so older decades undercount. Damage is in dollars of the year it happened and is often an estimate. Winter storms, heat and hurricanes are logged by forecast zone, not county, so they are not counted here.

Flood insurance in Saginaw County

Check your address flood zone ›
1.1%of homes have federal flood insurance (841 policies)
0%of homes in mapped high-risk flood zones are insured
$11.8 millionpaid on 798 flood claims since 1978
2020costliest year, with $6.9 million paid

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) records only; private flood policies are not included. Home counts as of Aug 3, 2026. Since 2021 NFIP prices each home separately under Risk Rating 2.0, so your price depends on the building, not the county. Ask an agent for a quote.

Homes in Saginaw County

$152,800median home value (Michigan $231,600, US $332,700)
1968median year homes were built (Michigan 1972, US 1980)
71%of homes built before 1980, before many modern wind, quake and flood building rules
3.8%of homes are mobile homes, which are the least safe in tornadoes and high winds

Older homes and mobile homes usually suffer more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes, and can cost more to insure. If you are buying, ask about roof age, foundation bolting and any retrofits. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 5-year estimates; 86,208 housing units.

Compare in Michigan

All 83 ›
Largest countiesOverall riskTop hazard
Wayne CountyHighInland flooding
Oakland CountyHighInland flooding
Macomb CountyHighInland flooding
Kent CountyModerateInland flooding
Genesee CountyModerateInland flooding
Washtenaw CountyModerateInland flooding
Ottawa CountyModerateInland flooding
Ingham CountyModerateInland flooding

Neighboring counties

CountyOverall riskDeclarations
Genesee CountyModerate10
Bay CountyLow12
Midland CountyLow12
Shiawassee CountyLow12
Tuscola CountyLow10
Gratiot CountyLow10

Cities in Saginaw County

Common questions about Saginaw County

What is the biggest natural hazard in Saginaw County?

Inland flooding has the highest expected yearly losses in Saginaw County, about $43.3 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Cold wave is second at $10.8 million.

How many federal disasters has Saginaw County had?

Saginaw County has been included in 16 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 1973, including 13 major disasters. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding in June 2026.

Is Saginaw County a high-risk place to live?

Its overall rating is Relatively Moderate, 7th highest of 83 in Michigan. A county rating covers the whole area. Risk at one address can be much higher or lower, so check the FEMA flood map and ask about the home's history.

Do I need flood insurance in Saginaw County?

Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 91 homes in Saginaw County has federal flood insurance. Lenders require it in mapped high-risk zones, but many flood claims come from outside those zones.

How many tornadoes has Saginaw County had?

NOAA records list 30 tornadoes in Saginaw County since 1950. The strongest was an F3 tornado on June 21, 1996 near Frankenmuth. The weather service has also logged 126 hail reports and 17 floods here.

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025), OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, and NFIP policy and claims data. Hazard Compass is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. These figures describe the whole county, not a single property, and are not insurance or safety advice. Report a problem.