Adams County Disaster Risk
Adams County, Wisconsin
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
71th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#23
of 72 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
72th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 72% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 53% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 73% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 21% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 9% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Adams County, Wisconsin
Adams County's moderate risk profile
Adams County scores 70.90 on the national composite risk scale, placing it in the Relatively Low category—well above Wisconsin's state average of 59.08. While this county faces more natural disaster risk than most Wisconsinites, it remains below the national median for composite risk exposure.
Higher than average across Wisconsin
Adams County ranks among the state's higher-risk counties despite its "Relatively Low" designation, reflecting Wisconsin's overall favorable position on natural disaster exposure. The county's 70.90 score significantly exceeds Wisconsin's 59.08 average, placing it in the upper portion of the state's risk distribution.
Riskier than most nearby counties
Adams County's risk profile stands notably higher than neighboring Burnett County (49.33) and Calumet County (30.18), but slightly below Barron County (68.64). Among its peers, Adams faces more consistent exposure across multiple hazard types rather than concentrated risk in a single category.
Tornado and flood threats lead risks
Tornado risk dominates Adams County at 73.44, followed closely by flood risk at 72.46—both substantially higher than the county's other hazards. Wildfire risk, while present at 53.12, poses a secondary threat compared to these two weather-related hazards that affect the broadest areas of the county.
Secure coverage against storms now
Adams County residents should prioritize comprehensive homeowners insurance that explicitly covers tornado and flood damage, as these represent the county's dominant risks. Standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood coverage, so separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program should be a critical consideration.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Adams County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Adams County
Risk Verdict
Adams County ranks at the 71th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Adams County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 73th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 72th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (53th percentile), earthquake (21th percentile), hurricane (9th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Adams County ranks at the 73th percentile nationally for tornado exposure. Unlike many slow-onset hazards, tornadoes in Adams County can reach full intensity in minutes; a pre-practiced household shelter plan matters far more than stockpiled supplies. Flood is the second hazard driver for Adams County at the 72th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. Adams County county emergency management typically publishes annual severe-weather preparedness guides tailored to local tornado patterns; households benefit from reviewing these before storm season begins each spring.
Regional Context
Compared to other Wisconsin counties, Adams County runs 11.8 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.
Is your household prepared for Adams County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Adams County, WI?
What types of natural hazards affect Adams County?
How does Adams County risk compare to the Wisconsin average?
Is Adams County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Adams County higher risk than average?
Data Source
Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.
Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.