Saginaw, MI Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Saginaw is about the same as Michigan average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Saginaw is higher than Michigan average and is higher than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #698
| Saginaw, MI | 0.00 |
| 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
| Saginaw, MI | 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, #436
| Saginaw, MI | 155.95 |
| 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 2,575 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Saginaw, MI 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: | 8 | Cold: | 10 | Dense Fog: | 4 | Drought: | 2 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 138 | Hail: | 676 | Heat: | 9 | Heavy Snow: | 84 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 23 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 41 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 1,422 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 0 | Winter Storm: | 60 | Winter Weather: | 16 |
| Other: | 82 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Saginaw, MI.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Saginaw, MI.
No historical earthquake events found in or near Saginaw, MI.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 65 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Saginaw, MI.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 6.6 | 1953-06-05 | 2 | 43°22'N / 83°52'W | 43°26'N / 83°47'W | 5.60 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Saginaw |
| 9.6 | 1982-06-15 | 2 | 43°19'N / 84°18'W | 43°25'N / 83°58'W | 19.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 3 | 2.5M | 0 | Saginaw |
| 9.8 | 1956-05-12 | 2 | 43°18'N / 84°08'W | 43°20'N / 84°03'W | 3.80 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Saginaw |
| 11.6 | 1957-06-22 | 2 | 43°35'N / 83°55'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Bay | |||
| 11.8 | 1996-06-21 | 3 | 43°20'N / 83°45'W | 43°20'N / 83°45'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 5.0M | 0 | Saginaw |
| 14.6 | 1965-04-11 | 2 | 43°33'N / 83°52'W | 43°37'N / 83°41'W | 9.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Bay |
| 16.6 | 1984-06-12 | 3 | 43°35'N / 83°56'W | 43°42'N / 83°44'W | 10.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 2 | 2.5M | 0 | Bay |
| 19.0 | 1984-08-07 | 2 | 43°22'N / 83°35'W | 0.40 Mile | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Tuscola | |
| 21.1 | 1997-07-02 | 3 | 43°10'N / 83°43'W | 43°10'N / 83°43'W | 2.00 Miles | 1000 Yards | 0 | 0 | 600K | 0 | Genesee |
| 21.2 | 1999-05-31 | 2 | 43°39'N / 84°14'W | 43°40'N / 84°12'W | 1.80 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 150K | 0 | Midland |
| Brief Description: Warm, moist air blanketed lower Michigan, as a low pressure system moved slowly north along a nearly stationary cold front in Wisconsin. A number of showers and thunderstorms developed in the warm sector. There was only one severe weather event, but that unfortunately was a strong tornado that hit the north side of the city of Midland. Touchdown occurred at an apartment complex on the west side of Eastman Avenue (which is the US-10 business loop into downtown Midland). Power lines and trees were downed on both sides of Eastman Avenue, although little damage was done to structures. The tornado strengthened as it moved northeast across Woodpark Drive, uprooting trees, blowing out windows, and removing rain gutters and siding. Some trees were downed onto nearby homes. The tornado reached its maximum intensity as it crossed Wackerly Road. It struck a Holiday Inn Convention Center, located between Wackerly Road and the US-10 freeway. The roof of the convention center was blown off, with some debris blown across the freeway. An air conditioner from the roof was tossed onto a nearby parked car. Several doors to the convention center were blown out. A trash can from the hotel area was blown onto US-10, where it struck a car. The tornado weakened as it crossed the US-10 freeway. It moved through the parking lot of a Target store, at the southeast corner of Midland Mall. An outdoor shopping cart holder was thrown into a nearby field, and several trees were destroyed. As the tornado continued northeast, it downed a pair of large trees midway between a nursery and a WalMart. Toward the end of its path, the tornado struck a church on Jefferson Avenue, just south of Letts Road. Large limbs were downed here, and siding was torn off some of the church buildings. A youth center under construction was partially deroofed. This tornado tied for the strongest to strike Midland County since 1950. The only previous F2 tornado occurred on April 14 1974. The May 31 1999 tornado was the first tornado of any strength to hit Midland County since June 17 1992. | |||||||||||
| 21.2 | 1986-04-28 | 2 | 43°10'N / 84°15'W | 43°13'N / 84°14'W | 8.10 Miles | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Saginaw |
| 22.6 | 1954-08-24 | 2 | 43°06'N / 83°51'W | 1.30 Miles | 17 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Genesee | |
| 23.5 | 1997-07-02 | 3 | 43°11'N / 83°37'W | 43°11'N / 83°37'W | 1.70 Miles | 1500 Yards | 1 | 1 | 3.8M | 0 | Genesee |
| 23.8 | 1965-04-11 | 2 | 43°34'N / 83°38'W | 43°39'N / 83°29'W | 9.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Tuscola |
| 24.2 | 1953-06-08 | 5 | 43°06'N / 83°51'W | 43°06'N / 83°39'W | 9.60 Miles | 833 Yards | 116 | 785 | 25.0M | 0 | Genesee |
| 25.4 | 1957-09-21 | 2 | 43°00'N / 84°11'W | 43°06'N / 83°46'W | 21.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Shiawassee |
| 25.5 | 1971-08-10 | 2 | 43°10'N / 83°35'W | 0.30 Mile | 300 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Genesee | |
| 27.7 | 1977-09-17 | 2 | 43°02'N / 83°48'W | 2.00 Miles | 60 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Genesee | |
| 28.4 | 1953-06-08 | 5 | 43°06'N / 83°39'W | 43°09'N / 83°28'W | 9.30 Miles | 833 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Genesee |
| 29.3 | 1956-05-12 | 2 | 43°18'N / 84°33'W | 43°16'N / 84°28'W | 3.80 Miles | 800 Yards | 1 | 4 | 250K | 0 | Gratiot |
| 30.4 | 1986-04-28 | 2 | 42°54'N / 84°15'W | 43°10'N / 84°15'W | 18.40 Miles | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Shiawassee |
| 31.3 | 1984-08-08 | 2 | 43°00'N / 83°46'W | 42°59'N / 83°43'W | 3.00 Miles | 60 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Genesee |
| 31.4 | 1967-04-16 | 2 | 43°00'N / 84°12'W | 0.30 Mile | 20 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Shiawassee | |
| 31.4 | 1953-06-08 | 5 | 43°09'N / 83°28'W | 43°10'N / 83°25'W | 0 | 59 | 25.0M | 0 | Lapeer | ||
| 31.6 | 1984-08-08 | 3 | 43°00'N / 83°42'W | 0.80 Mile | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Genesee | |
| 31.7 | 1974-04-14 | 2 | 43°28'N / 84°35'W | 2.50 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Midland | |
| 32.1 | 1974-09-17 | 2 | 43°01'N / 83°38'W | 0.80 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Genesee | |
| 32.1 | 1990-10-04 | 2 | 43°02'N / 83°40'W | 43°00'N / 83°36'W | 3.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Genesee |
| 32.5 | 1974-07-14 | 3 | 43°03'N / 83°33'W | 1.00 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Genesee | |
| 32.6 | 1965-04-11 | 2 | 43°22'N / 84°36'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Gratiot | |
| 32.7 | 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 |
| 32.9 | 1954-04-07 | 2 | 42°57'N / 83°50'W | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Genesee | |||
| 33.3 | 1982-06-15 | 2 | 43°13'N / 84°38'W | 43°15'N / 84°30'W | 5.90 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Gratiot |
| 33.3 | 1965-04-11 | 2 | 43°23'N / 84°37'W | 0.10 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Gratiot | |
| 33.3 | 1965-04-11 | 2 | 43°23'N / 84°37'W | 0.50 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Gratiot | |
| 33.8 | 1971-05-24 | 2 | 43°29'N / 83°23'W | 43°35'N / 83°13'W | 10.40 Miles | 1100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Tuscola |
| 34.2 | 1968-06-11 | 2 | 43°10'N / 84°34'W | 43°10'N / 84°31'W | 1 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Gratiot | ||
| 34.5 | 1956-05-12 | 4 | 43°00'N / 83°41'W | 42°58'N / 83°33'W | 6.60 Miles | 100 Yards | 3 | 116 | 2.5M | 0 | Genesee |
| 35.6 | 1956-06-26 | 2 | 43°11'N / 84°41'W | 43°17'N / 84°33'W | 9.20 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Gratiot |
| 37.9 | 1986-09-29 | 2 | 42°52'N / 83°48'W | 42°55'N / 83°41'W | 5.60 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Genesee |
| 37.9 | 1984-08-30 | 2 | 43°04'N / 84°32'W | 2.50 Miles | 27 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Clinton | |
| 38.3 | 1984-06-12 | 3 | 43°42'N / 83°44'W | 43°57'N / 83°08'W | 38.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Huron |
| 38.5 | 1982-06-15 | 2 | 43°21'N / 83°15'W | 43°22'N / 83°08'W | 6.00 Miles | 80 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Tuscola |
| 38.7 | 1965-04-11 | 4 | 42°54'N / 84°22'W | 42°56'N / 84°14'W | 6.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Shiawassee |
| 39.0 | 1977-03-28 | 2 | 43°01'N / 84°30'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Clinton | |
| 39.2 | 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 |
| 40.3 | 1965-04-11 | 2 | 43°18'N / 84°50'W | 43°23'N / 84°40'W | 9.70 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Gratiot |
| 41.8 | 1975-08-29 | 2 | 42°49'N / 84°03'W | 1.50 Miles | 83 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Shiawassee | |
| 42.7 | 1974-07-04 | 2 | 43°41'N / 83°15'W | 43°45'N / 83°10'W | 5.70 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Huron |
| 43.0 | 1978-08-19 | 2 | 42°50'N / 84°15'W | 2.00 Miles | 230 Yards | 0 | 8 | 250K | 0 | Shiawassee | |
| 43.5 | 1976-04-21 | 2 | 42°48'N / 84°16'W | 42°51'N / 84°14'W | 3.00 Miles | 83 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Shiawassee |
| 44.3 | 1977-04-02 | 2 | 42°52'N / 84°28'W | 42°53'N / 84°23'W | 3.30 Miles | 223 Yards | 0 | 6 | 250K | 0 | Clinton |
| 45.5 | 2007-08-24 | 2 | 42°46'N / 83°45'W | 42°48'N / 83°40'W | 4.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 1 | 13.0M | 0K | Genesee |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This is the same tornado that began in Livingston County's Cohoctah Township. The tornado crossed into Genesee County approximately 3 miles west southwest of Fenton at 1649EST. The City of Fenton sustained the greatest amount of damage where the tornado path widened to approximately one-quarter mile, including the snapping and uprooting of hundreds of trees, de-roofing of both residential and municipal structures, and the partial collapse of a large retail structure near the intersection of Owen Road and U.S. 23. Of the approximately 250 homes/buildings damaged in Fenton, two were destroyed and five sustained major damage. The tornado was rated as EF2 in Fenton with wind speeds estimated at approximately 130 MPH. The average path width in Genesee County was 350 yards. One person in Fenton received minor injuries after being struck by flying glass. The tornado exited Genesee County one mile east of Fenton at 1700EST and then continued in Oakland County for another 5.5 miles. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Four tornadoes moved through portions of Southeast Michigan on August 24th, leading to an estimated $25M in total damages. One long-track tornado cut a path of EF0 to EF2 damage across Livingston, Geneseee, and Oakland Counties. Fenton was the hardest hit area, prompting the Governor of Michigan to declare a state of emergency there. Tornadoes also touched down in eastern Shiawassee County (rated as EF0), northwestern Washtenaw County (rated as EF0), and southwestern Lapeer County (rated as EF1). Thousands of trees were lost to the tornadoes. Although hundreds of homes and buildings were damaged, many destroyed, remarkably only one person was injured (minor cuts from flying glass) and there were no direct fatalities. One man died (indirect) of a heart attack during the cleanup process in Fenton. In addition to the tornadoes, there were widespread reports of severe thunderstorm wind gusts producing downed trees, limbs, and power lines. The hardest hit areas with respect to severe thunderstorm winds included areas around Flint, Lapeer, St. Clair, Chelsea, Monroe, and many locations in Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, Wayne and Lenawee Counties. | |||||||||||
| 45.7 | 1977-07-04 | 2 | 44°03'N / 83°41'W | 2.50 Miles | 90 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Arenac | |
| 46.1 | 1951-08-15 | 2 | 42°54'N / 84°53'W | 43°00'N / 84°20'W | 28.50 Miles | 333 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Clinton |
| 46.7 | 1965-04-11 | 4 | 42°51'N / 84°39'W | 42°54'N / 84°22'W | 14.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 1 | 8 | 250K | 0 | Clinton |
| 46.8 | 1956-05-12 | 2 | 43°06'N / 84°51'W | 43°02'N / 84°39'W | 10.70 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 3 | 2.5M | 0 | Clinton |
| 47.1 | 1965-10-07 | 2 | 43°47'N / 84°45'W | 2.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Isabella | |
| 47.4 | 2007-08-24 | 2 | 42°42'N / 84°00'W | 42°46'N / 83°45'W | 14.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 7.0M | 0K | Livingston |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This tornado first touched down approximately 4 miles northeast of Fowlerville at 1630EST between Owosso and Fleming Roads approximately three-fourths of a mile north of Chase Lake Road in Cohoctah Township, Livingston County. Tornado damage was observed from the ground continuously for 14 miles in Livingston County through Cohoctah Township, Deerfield Township and northwest Tyrone Township where the tornado entered Genesee County and the City of Fenton. The tornado damaged 71 homes/buildings and leveled hundreds of trees in Livingston County. Eight homes were destroyed in Cohoctah and Deerfield Townships. The damage along the path was predominately consistent with EF1 scale damage (associated with approximately 100 MPH winds). However, there were 2 sections in Livingston County consistent with EF2 scale damage (and associated with approximately 130 mph winds). The first section of EF2 damage occurred along Schrepfer Road in Cohoctah Township, where a single family dwelling was destroyed. The second section of EF2 damage occurred near the intersection of Center and Mack Roads in Deerfield Township, where substantial structural and tree damage was observed. A third and final section of EF2 damage occurred in Genesee County through the City of Fenton. The average path width in Livingston County was 200 yards. The tornado exited Livingston County across Bennett Lake Road approximately a half mile west of U.S. 23 at 1649EST. It then continued for 4 miles across southeastern Genesee County and for another 5.5 miles in western Oakland County. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Four tornadoes moved through portions of Southeast Michigan on August 24th, leading to an estimated $25M in total damages. One long-track tornado cut a path of EF0 to EF2 damage across Livingston, Geneseee, and Oakland Counties. Fenton was the hardest hit area, prompting the Governor of Michigan to declare a state of emergency there. Tornadoes also touched down in eastern Shiawassee County (rated as EF0), northwestern Washtenaw County (rated as EF0), and southwestern Lapeer County (rated as EF1). Thousands of trees were lost to the tornadoes. Although hundreds of homes and buildings were damaged, many destroyed, remarkably only one person was injured (minor cuts from flying glass) and there were no direct fatalities. One man died (indirect) of a heart attack during the cleanup process in Fenton. In addition to the tornadoes, there were widespread reports of severe thunderstorm wind gusts producing downed trees, limbs, and power lines. The hardest hit areas with respect to severe thunderstorm winds included areas around Flint, Lapeer, St. Clair, Chelsea, Monroe, and many locations in Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, Wayne and Lenawee Counties. | |||||||||||
| 47.5 | 1953-06-08 | 4 | 43°09'N / 83°11'W | 43°09'N / 82°59'W | 9.60 Miles | 833 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Lapeer |
| 48.1 | 1967-04-21 | 4 | 42°56'N / 84°48'W | 43°01'N / 84°35'W | 12.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 8 | 2.5M | 0 | Clinton |
| 48.4 | 1971-07-05 | 2 | 42°43'N / 83°56'W | 0.30 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Livingston | |
| 48.5 | 1951-05-03 | 2 | 42°42'N / 84°03'W | 42°44'N / 84°00'W | 2.30 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Livingston |
| 49.5 | 1984-08-30 | 2 | 42°23'N / 83°21'W | 43°23'N / 83°15'W | 5.60 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 4 | 2.5M | 0 | Wayne |
| 50.0 | 1975-05-21 | 2 | 44°01'N / 84°31'W | 1.60 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Gladwin | |
* 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.