Government agency data shows 39 natural disaster events for ZIP 48661 in West Branch, MI. These include 21 hailstorms, 9 tornadoes, and 5 floods. Total documented property damage amounts to $51.9M. A total of 14 injuries have been reported across all events.
Hailstorms represent the most common natural hazard in this area, accounting for 54% of all recorded events (21 total). One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for hail-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Hail-related events have caused a combined $32.6M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Aug 8, 2025.
West Branch has experienced 9 tornadoes on record. Of these, 3 (33%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for tornado-related events here is 4/5 (severe). Tornado-related events have caused a combined $3.4M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Aug 28, 2018.
West Branch has experienced 5 floods on record. Of these, 4 (80%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for flood-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Flood-related events have caused a combined $15.8M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Aug 10, 2020.
West Branch has experienced 3 blizzards on record. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for winter storm events here is 4/5 (severe). Winter storm events have caused a combined $60K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Jan 11, 2020.
West Branch has experienced 1 wildfire on record. The most recent recorded wildfire occurred on Aug 19, 2018.
The most significant disaster event on record for West Branch was 4.5" Hail on Aug 2, 2015, which caused $32.6M in property damage. Another major event was Flood (May 18, 2020), causing $11M in damages. Flood on May 18, 2020 also caused significant damage ($4.4M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 48661 has experienced 39 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (21 events), tornadoes (9 events), floods (5 events), blizzards (3 events), and wildfire (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 54% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in West Branch, MI, with 21 events documented. These events have caused a combined $32.6M in property damage.
Yes, West Branch (ZIP 48661) has 5 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $15.8M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Aug 10, 2020.
West Branch has 9 recorded tornado events in the historical record. The strongest tornado recorded reached severity level 4/5 on the normalized scale. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $3.4M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Aug 28, 2018.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 48661 was 4.5" Hail, which occurred on Aug 2, 2015. This event caused $32.6M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $51.9M in property damage in the West Branch, MI area (ZIP 48661). 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 →