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

Clark County Disaster Risk

Clark County, Wisconsin

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

68th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#29

of 72 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

69th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Clark County, Wisconsin

Clark's composite risk exceeds state norm

Clark County scores 68.45 on the composite risk scale, rating it as Relatively Low but surpassing Wisconsin's average of 59.08. This places Clark in the moderately exposed category when compared to the national disaster risk distribution.

Upper-middle risk among Wisconsin counties

Clark County ranks among Wisconsin's higher-risk counties for natural disasters, though it still falls short of the state's most vulnerable areas. The county's 68.45 score reflects exposure patterns that exceed most of its peers statewide.

Similar risks to nearby Chippewa

Clark County (68.45) and Chippewa County (67.33) face nearly identical overall disaster risk levels. Both counties share strong tornado and flood vulnerabilities, making preparedness strategies similar across this north-central Wisconsin region.

Tornadoes and floods dominate the threat

Clark's tornado risk reaches 71.69 and flood risk stands at 69.12, positioning these two hazards as the county's primary natural disaster concerns. Wildfire risk is minimal at 19.78, while earthquake (14.12) and hurricane (0.00) threats remain negligible.

Windstorm and flood coverage essential here

With tornado risk above 71 and flood risk near 70, Clark residents need robust homeowners insurance that includes windstorm protection and separate flood coverage. Act now to close coverage gaps before severe weather strikes—many policies don't cover flooding without explicit add-ons.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Clark County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    72th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    69th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    20th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Clark County

Risk Verdict

Clark County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 68th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Clark County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Clark County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 72th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 69th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (20th percentile), earthquake (14th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ranked at the 72th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Clark County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Clark County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Flood is the second hazard driver for Clark County at the 69th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. Clark 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 9.4 points above the Wisconsin state average puts Clark County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Clark 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 Clark County, WI?
Clark County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 68th 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 Clark County?
Clark County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (72th percentile), flooding (69th percentile), wildfire (20th percentile), earthquake (14th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 72th 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 Clark County risk compare to the Wisconsin average?
Clark County's composite risk percentile is 68th, compared to the Wisconsin state average of 59th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Clark County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Wisconsin.
Is Clark County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Clark County's tornado risk is at the 72th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Clark County is at the 69th 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.
Why is Clark County higher risk than average?
Clark County's composite risk score of 68th percentile is above the Wisconsin state average of 59th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (72th percentile), along with flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.