Barron County Disaster Risk
Barron County, Wisconsin
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
69th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#28
of 72 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
59th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 59% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 18% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 75% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 7% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 0% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Barron County, Wisconsin
Barron County faces elevated tornado risk
Barron County scores 68.64 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Relatively Low category but notably above Wisconsin's state average of 59.08. This northwest Wisconsin county experiences more natural disaster exposure than most peers, driven primarily by tornado and flood threats.
Upper-middle risk ranking in state
Barron County's 68.64 score ranks it among Wisconsin's higher-risk counties, falling in the upper third of the state's composite risk distribution. Only a handful of Wisconsin counties face substantially greater natural disaster exposure than Barron.
Comparable to Adams, riskier than Ashland
Barron County's risk profile closely mirrors Adams County (70.90), making both counties notably riskier than northern neighbors like Ashland (31.68) and Bayfield (35.08). The shared tornado and flood vulnerabilities suggest similar preparedness strategies across this northwestern region.
Tornadoes rank as dominant threat
Barron County faces exceptional tornado risk at 75.00—among the highest in Wisconsin—combined with moderate flood risk of 59.06. Wildfire and earthquake threats remain comparatively minor, while hurricane exposure is negligible.
Tornado shelter planning is essential
Barron County residents must prioritize homeowners insurance with tornado coverage and establish or upgrade safe rooms or shelters for severe weather events. Flood insurance should also be considered for properties in mapped floodplains or areas with historical water damage.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Barron County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Barron County
Risk Verdict
Barron County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 69th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Barron County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Barron County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 75th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 59th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (18th percentile), earthquake (7th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Ranked at the 75th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Barron County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Barron County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. The secondary flood hazard at the 59th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Barron County's preparedness calendar, since flood and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. Barron County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.
Regional Context
A composite score 9.6 points above the Wisconsin state average puts Barron County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Barron County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Barron County, WI?
What types of natural hazards affect Barron County?
How does Barron County risk compare to the Wisconsin average?
Is Barron County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Barron 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.