riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Columbia County Disaster Risk

Columbia County, Wisconsin

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

81th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#10

of 72 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

76th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Columbia County

Risk Verdict

Columbia County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 81th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Columbia County, scoring in the 76th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 76th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (42th), earthquake (29th), hurricane (11th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Columbia County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Columbia County is significantly riskier than the average county in Wisconsin. Its composite risk score is 22.3 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Columbia County, WI?
Columbia County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 81th 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 Columbia County?
Columbia County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (76th percentile), flooding (76th percentile), wildfire (42th percentile), earthquake (29th percentile), hurricane (11th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 76th 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 Columbia County risk compare to the Wisconsin average?
Columbia County's composite risk percentile is 81th, compared to the Wisconsin state average of 59th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Columbia County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Wisconsin.
Is Columbia County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Columbia County's tornado risk is at the 76th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Columbia County is at the 76th 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 Columbia County higher risk than average?
Columbia County's composite risk score of 81th percentile is above the Wisconsin state average of 59th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (76th 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.

Counties with Similar Risk

La Crosse County

Wisconsin

-0.9

Relatively Low

81th percentile

Marinette County

Wisconsin

-1.4

Relatively Low

80th percentile

Outagamie County

Wisconsin

-1.7

Relatively Low

80th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.

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