riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Calumet County Disaster Risk

Calumet County, Wisconsin

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

30th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#66

of 72 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

33th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Calumet County, Wisconsin

Calumet County ranks among safest areas

Calumet County scores 30.18 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Very Low category and well below Wisconsin's state average of 59.08. This eastern Wisconsin county enjoys substantially lower natural disaster exposure than most U.S. counties.

Among Wisconsin's safest counties

Calumet County ranks among the lowest-risk counties in Wisconsin with a composite score of 30.18, sitting comfortably below the state average of 59.08. Only a handful of Wisconsin counties demonstrate comparably favorable natural disaster profiles.

Far safer than nearby Brown County

Calumet County's 30.18 score ranks it dramatically safer than neighboring Brown County (90.04), one of Wisconsin's riskiest areas, and comparable to other low-risk counties like Ashland (31.68). This variation highlights how localized natural disaster risk can be within a single region.

Tornado risk leads other hazards

Calumet County's tornado risk of 58.24 represents its primary natural disaster exposure, though even this remains moderate compared to statewide highs. Flood risk (33.14) and hurricane risk (10.18) present secondary concerns, while wildfire and earthquake threats are minimal.

Standard homeowners insurance sufficient

Calumet County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance with tornado protection for most property needs, given the county's overall low risk profile. Those in mapped floodplains or areas with historical water damage should verify flood coverage, though few Calumet County properties face significant catastrophic risk.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Calumet County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    58th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    33th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    15th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Calumet County

Risk Verdict

At the 30th percentile nationally, Calumet County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Calumet County's favorable 30th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Calumet County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 58th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 33th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (15th percentile), hurricane (10th percentile), wildfire (10th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Calumet County ranks at the 58th percentile nationally for tornado exposure. Unlike many slow-onset hazards, tornadoes in Calumet County can reach full intensity in minutes; a pre-practiced household shelter plan matters far more than stockpiled supplies. Alongside tornado exposure, flood at the 33th percentile nationally means Calumet County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. Calumet 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

A composite score 28.9 points below the Wisconsin state average puts Calumet County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Calumet County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Calumet County, WI?
Calumet County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 30th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Calumet County?
Calumet County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (58th percentile), flooding (33th percentile), earthquake (15th percentile), hurricane (10th percentile), wildfire (10th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 58th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Calumet County risk compare to the Wisconsin average?
Calumet County's composite risk percentile is 30th, compared to the Wisconsin state average of 59th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Calumet County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Wisconsin.
Is Calumet County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Calumet County's tornado risk is at the 58th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Calumet County is at the 33th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Calumet County a safe place to live?
Calumet County's composite risk score of 30th percentile is below the Wisconsin state average of 59th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is tornado at the 58th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

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.