Berrien County in the southwest corner of Michigan hosts Cook Nuclear Plant and Palisades Nuclear Plant nearby placing it in one of the most nuclear-proximate locations in the Midwest. Lake Michigan creates flooding and storm surge risk. The county faces moderate tornado risk. St. Joseph and Benton Harbor are the primary communities. Whirlpool Corporation world headquarters is located in Benton Harbor creating major corporate infrastructure emergency planning considerations.
// Preparedness Recommendations
- Identify an interior room or storm shelter.
- Monitor NOAA weather alerts continuously.
- Keep emergency kit accessible at all times.
- Prepare for sudden power outages.
// Recommended Supplies
Essential gear for power outages, severe weather, and emergency situations in your area.
- Emergency Food Supplies
- Water Filtration & Storage
- Backup Generator
- Solar Backup Power
- Potassium Iodide (KI) Tablets
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// Risk Intelligence
| Threat Score | 6 / 10 Moderate Risk |
| Primary Hazard | Tornado / Nuclear Proximity |
| Secondary Hazard | Lake Michigan Storm |
| FEMA Flood Zone | Moderate |
| Federally Declared Disasters | 5 |
| Last Major Event | 2018 Tornado |
| Event Frequency | Annual |
// Emergency Operations
| Emergency Mgmt Phone | (269) 983-7111 |
| Emergency Shelters | 6 designated facilities |
| Evacuation Routes | I-94 US-33 MI-139 MI-63 |
// County Profile
| County | Berrien County MI |
| State | Michigan (MI) |
| Population | 153 |
| Area | 572 sq miles |
| FEMA Region | Moderate |
// Major Cities
// Cities in This County
// Other Michigan Counties
Genesee County MI
Tornado / Water Infrastructure
6/10
Moderate
Ontonagon County MI
Winter Storm / Wildfire
5/10
Low
Saginaw County MI
Tornado / Flash Flooding
5/10
Moderate
Wayne County MI
Tornado / Severe Storm
5/10
Moderate
Monroe County MI
Tornado / Lake Erie Storm
5/10
Moderate
Keweenaw County MI
Winter Storm / Wildfire
5/10
Low