Government agency data shows 37 natural disaster events for ZIP 48461 in North Branch, MI. These include 19 hailstorms, 7 blizzards, and 4 tornadoes. Total documented property damage amounts to $6.9M. These events have resulted in 2 recorded deaths and 11 injuries.
With 19 recorded incidents (51% of all events), hailstorms are the leading natural hazard for this ZIP code. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on May 17, 2024.
North Branch has experienced 7 blizzards on record. Of these, 4 (57%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for winter storm events here is 5/5 (extreme). Winter storm events have caused a combined $5.1M in documented property damage. 2 fatalities have been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Apr 14, 2018.
North Branch has experienced 4 tornadoes on record. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for tornado-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Tornado-related events have caused a combined $477.5K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Jul 2, 1997.
North Branch has experienced 4 severe wind events on record. Wind-related events have caused a combined $50K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Mar 30, 2025.
North Branch has experienced 2 extreme cold events on record. Of these, 2 (100%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for cold-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Cold-related events have caused a combined $1.3M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded extreme cold event occurred on Apr 27, 2012.
North Branch has experienced 1 extreme heat event on record. The most recent recorded extreme heat event occurred on May 29, 2006.
The most significant disaster event on record for North Branch was Ice Storm on Dec 21, 2013, which caused $3M in property damage. Another major event was Frost/Freeze (Apr 27, 2012), causing $1.3M in damages. Winter Storm on Apr 14, 2018 also caused significant damage ($1M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 48461 has experienced 37 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (19 events), blizzards (7 events), tornadoes (4 events), severe wind events (4 events), extreme cold events (2 events), and extreme heat event (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 51% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in North Branch, MI, with 19 events documented.
North Branch has 4 recorded tornado events in the historical record. The strongest tornado recorded reached severity level 5/5 on the normalized scale. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $477.5K. The most recent tornado was recorded on Jul 2, 1997.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 48461 was Ice Storm, which occurred on Dec 21, 2013. This event caused $3M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $6.9M in property damage in the North Branch, MI area (ZIP 48461). This figure is based on historical records from FEMA, NOAA Storm Events Database, and USGS, and covers events from the 1950s through the present. Actual damages may be higher, as not all events have complete damage assessments.
Data sourced from FEMA (disaster declarations, NFIP flood claims), NOAA Storm Events Database, USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, and NIFC wildfire records. Historical coverage varies by source, with most records beginning in the 1950s–1970s. Full methodology →