Roscommon County Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Michigan Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Roscommon County is about the same as Michigan average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Roscommon County is lower than Michigan average and is lower than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #21
| Roscommon County | 0.01 |
| Michigan | 0.04 |
| U.S. | 1.81 |
The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.
Volcano Index, #1
| Roscommon County | 0.0000 |
| Michigan | 0.0000 |
| U.S. | 0.0023 |
The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.
Tornado Index, #42
| Roscommon County | 75.21 |
| Michigan | 140.33 |
| U.S. | 136.45 |
The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.
Other Weather Extremes Events
A total of 5,166 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Roscommon County were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:
| Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count |
| Avalanche: | 0 | Blizzard: | 35 | Cold: | 19 | Dense Fog: | 7 | Drought: | 5 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 232 | Hail: | 1,386 | Heat: | 10 | Heavy Snow: | 338 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 37 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 82 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 2,573 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 5 | Winter Storm: | 235 | Winter Weather: | 45 |
| Other: | 157 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Roscommon County.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Roscommon County.
No historical earthquake events found in or near Roscommon County.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 27 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Roscommon County.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 6.3 | 1973-05-25 | 2 | 44°22'N / 84°44'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Roscommon | |||
| 10.6 | 1974-06-10 | 2 | 44°28'N / 84°44'W | 0.30 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Roscommon | |
| 18.7 | 1973-05-20 | 2 | 44°36'N / 84°43'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Crawford | |||
| 21.9 | 1991-03-27 | 2 | 44°15'N / 84°16'W | 44°19'N / 84°05'W | 6.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Ogemaw |
| 22.4 | 1976-03-30 | 3 | 44°10'N / 84°12'W | 44°20'N / 84°09'W | 11.40 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 10 | 250K | 0 | Ogemaw |
| 22.8 | 1975-05-21 | 2 | 44°01'N / 84°31'W | 1.60 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Gladwin | |
| 23.8 | 1976-03-30 | 3 | 44°08'N / 84°13'W | 44°10'N / 84°12'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Gladwin | ||
| 28.8 | 1991-03-27 | 3 | 44°29'N / 84°03'W | 44°30'N / 84°05'W | 7.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Ogemaw |
| 29.1 | 1964-09-03 | 2 | 44°19'N / 85°12'W | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Missaukee | |||
| 30.5 | 1975-04-19 | 2 | 44°46'N / 84°46'W | 1.50 Miles | 77 Yards | 0 | 14 | 250K | 0 | Crawford | |
| 30.9 | 1993-04-24 | 2 | 44°09'N / 84°08'W | 44°13'N / 83°55'W | 7.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 3 | 50K | 0 | Arenac And Ogemaw |
| Brief Description: A tornado touched down in Alger in extreme northwest Arenac County around 1822 EST. The tornado moved northeast and lifted briefly after crossing Highway M-33. The tornado touched down with greater strength just before crossing into Ogemaw County where the Rifle River crosses the Ogemaw/Arenac County line. The tornado then moved into Mills Township/Skidway Lake through a subdivision comprised mainly of mobile homes and cottages, reaching F2 strength. It lifted briefly, about 0.75 mile northeast of the river, then touched down again and traveled another 6 miles, moving out of dense woods and into mostly open fields. A total of 17 mobile homes, 3 homes or cottages, 7 travel trailers, 4 garages, a barn, and 3 vehicles were destroyed or badly damaged. Six people, in 3 of the mobile homes that were completely destroyed were warned by the approaching roar, and in each case, took some action that ultimately saved their lives. Three were hospitalized with injuries. The tornado lifted just west of Prescott. Tree and power line damage occurred with the tornado itself, and up to 0.1 mile either side of the tornado path. Structure damage and personal property loss in Ogemaw County is estimated at around $250,000, with another $110,000 in tree damage or loss. | |||||||||||
| 31.4 | 2007-10-18 | 2 | 44°38'N / 84°18'W | 44°45'N / 84°07'W | 12.00 Miles | 865 Yards | 0 | 0 | 1.4M | 0K | Oscoda |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The Oscoda County tornado may have been the strongest of the six on the day. Thankfully, it spent almost all of its lifetime in unpopulated areas of the Huron National Forest, though that makes its strength difficult to estimate. Tens of thousands of trees were estimated to have been uprooted or otherwise downed, and many power lines were downed. About 16 structures were damaged, mostly outbuildings or cabins. Three cabins, near Cherry Lane and Cherry Creek Road, were destroyed. Winds were estimated at 115 mph, making it an EF2. EPISODE NARRATIVE: An historic tornado outbreak rocked Northern Lower Michigan on the afternoon and evening of October 18th. The day started out cool and rainy, but a dry slot aloft allowed sunshine to break out in the afternoon. Temperatures rose into the lower to middle 70s in parts of the area. The warm and humid air was unstable enough to fuel multiple rounds of thunderstorms in the late afternoon and evening hours. There was a tremendous amount of shear in the atmosphere, and many storms quickly became supercells with rotating updrafts. This was an environment conducive to tornadoes, as several lines of discrete supercells crossed Northern Lower Michigan. Northern Lower Michigan had a record six tornadoes on the day. The previous high was five, set on June 17 1992. Unfortunately, the Kalkaska tornado produced a fatality. That was the first tornado fatality in Northern Lower Michigan since March 30 1976, when a single death occurred in Ogemaw County. | |||||||||||
| 32.4 | 1991-03-27 | 2 | 44°02'N / 85°09'W | 44°03'N / 85°05'W | 4.00 Miles | 70 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Osceola |
| 33.5 | 1991-03-27 | 3 | 44°20'N / 83°58'W | 44°23'N / 83°54'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Ogemaw |
| 33.6 | 1976-07-23 | 2 | 44°34'N / 85°15'W | 44°35'N / 85°10'W | 3.30 Miles | 83 Yards | 0 | 5 | 25K | 0 | Kalkaska |
| 33.9 | 1976-03-30 | 3 | 44°16'N / 83°56'W | 44°22'N / 83°55'W | 6.40 Miles | 117 Yards | 1 | 7 | 250K | 0 | Ogemaw |
| 34.2 | 1955-06-07 | 2 | 43°50'N / 84°29'W | 43°53'N / 84°25'W | 3.80 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Gladwin |
| 34.9 | 1963-07-31 | 2 | 44°18'N / 85°24'W | 44°04'N / 85°10'W | 19.60 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Wexford |
| 35.6 | 1974-04-12 | 2 | 44°10'N / 83°56'W | 0.80 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Ogemaw | |
| 37.8 | 2007-10-18 | 2 | 44°40'N / 85°13'W | 44°43'N / 85°11'W | 4.00 Miles | 430 Yards | 1 | 1 | 1.1M | 0K | Kalkaska |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The Kalkaska tornado was the first killer tornado in Northern Lower Michigan in over 30 years. It touched down just south of Crofton, and tracked north-northeast, lifting just after crossing the Kalkaska County Airport. A home was damaged in a subdivision just south of Crofton. The most substantial damage, as well as the fatality, occurred near the intersection of US-131 and Crofton Road. A large metal warehouse was damaged, a single wide mobile home was destroyed, and several stick-built homes received moderate to severe damage. The fatality and injury occurred inside the mobile home. A 29 year old man was pulled from the mobile home, but passed away at a nearby hospital. Numerous large trees were also uprooted. The damage became more sporadic to the northeast, until another pocket of concentrated damage at the Kalkaska County Airport. Several hangars and small planes were damaged, as were several homes in the area. Sheet metal from one of the hangars was deposited near the Kalkaska Middle School. Winds were estimated at 120 mph, making it an EF2. EPISODE NARRATIVE: An historic tornado outbreak rocked Northern Lower Michigan on the afternoon and evening of October 18th. The day started out cool and rainy, but a dry slot aloft allowed sunshine to break out in the afternoon. Temperatures rose into the lower to middle 70s in parts of the area. The warm and humid air was unstable enough to fuel multiple rounds of thunderstorms in the late afternoon and evening hours. There was a tremendous amount of shear in the atmosphere, and many storms quickly became supercells with rotating updrafts. This was an environment conducive to tornadoes, as several lines of discrete supercells crossed Northern Lower Michigan. Northern Lower Michigan had a record six tornadoes on the day. The previous high was five, set on June 17 1992. Unfortunately, the Kalkaska tornado produced a fatality. That was the first tornado fatality in Northern Lower Michigan since March 30 1976, when a single death occurred in Ogemaw County. | |||||||||||
| 39.0 | 1965-10-07 | 2 | 43°47'N / 84°45'W | 2.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Isabella | |
| 39.1 | 1991-03-27 | 3 | 44°27'N / 83°53'W | 44°30'N / 83°48'W | 4.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Iosco |
| 41.0 | 1991-03-27 | 3 | 44°23'N / 83°54'W | 44°30'N / 83°41'W | 10.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Iosco |
| 42.9 | 1974-06-07 | 2 | 44°14'N / 85°28'W | 1.20 Miles | 70 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Wexford | |
| 43.5 | 1999-07-03 | 2 | 44°52'N / 84°09'W | 44°46'N / 83°55'W | 16.00 Miles | 120 Yards | 0 | 2 | 1.5M | 0 | Oscoda |
| Brief Description: Continuation of Montmorency County tornado. Most extensive area of damage occurred here. See narrative below. Tornado continued into Alcona county. A thunderstorm developed rapidly over the city of Gaylord around 7 pm. The storm brought only very heavy rains to the city of Gaylord, then raced southeast toward Lewiston. By 720 pm, the storm was moving at 50 mph and strong rotation was noted, prompting a Tornado Warning. An F1 tornado formed just minutes after passing southeast of Lewiston. It then moved out of Montmorency county into Oscoda county. By 732 pm, the storm strengthened to an F2 and reached the city of Comins, cutting it in two. It completely destroyed a Parsonage, Mennonite Church, Township Hall, Fire Department and Post Office within the town of Comins. The storm also destroyed 10 homes and damaged 45 others, in addition to destroying 4 businesses and damaging 4 others. The park facilities on the east side of Comins also sustained substantial damage. The tornado continued out of Comins as an F1, continuing into Alcona county where 16 homes were damaged along the path from the county line to Barton City. The tornado lifted in the vicinity of Barton City around 8 pm. Extensive tree damage was also noted along the 20 mile damage path of the tornado, with path widths ranging from 60 to 120 yards. | |||||||||||
| 44.5 | 1973-07-31 | 2 | 43°53'N / 84°00'W | 43°54'N / 83°56'W | 2.30 Miles | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Bay |
| 46.8 | 1961-09-13 | 2 | 44°46'N / 85°30'W | 44°46'N / 85°12'W | 14.40 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Grand Traverse |
* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.