Crawford County Disaster Risk
Crawford County, Wisconsin
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
46th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#56
of 72 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
56th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 56% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 14% 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 20% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 8% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Crawford County, Wisconsin
Crawford's risk well below state average
Crawford County scores 46.22, earning the lowest composite risk rating of Relatively Low and sitting well below Wisconsin's state average of 59.08. This places Crawford among the safer counties nationally for natural disaster exposure.
Wisconsin's safest county profile
Crawford County ranks as one of Wisconsin's lowest-risk counties for natural disasters, with a composite score of 46.22 that puts it in the bottom tier of vulnerability statewide. Few Wisconsin counties enjoy lower disaster risk than Crawford.
Safest in its region by far
Crawford County (46.22) faces substantially lower risk than Door County (46.88) and dramatically less than Columbia County (81.42) or Dane County (93.86). This southwestern Wisconsin location enjoys genuine protection from the hazard patterns that threaten other parts of the state.
Flood and tornado risks remain modest
Crawford's tornado risk reaches 58.43 and flood risk stands at 56.11—both moderate but the county's primary concerns. Wildfire (13.93), earthquake (19.94), and hurricane (8.14) risks all remain low, creating a relatively balanced hazard profile.
Standard coverage protects most Crawford homes
With moderate flood and tornado risks as the main threats, Crawford residents can often rely on standard homeowners insurance for basic protection. However, consider a flood policy rider since even moderate flood risk can cause significant damage, and standard policies exclude flood coverage.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Crawford County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Crawford County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard pressure in Crawford County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 46th percentile. Residents of Crawford County can use the 46th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Crawford County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 58th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 56th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (20th percentile), wildfire (14th percentile), hurricane (8th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With tornado ranked at the 58th percentile nationally, Crawford County sits in a high-exposure zone where the difference between outcomes often comes down to proximity to a reinforced interior shelter and seconds of warning time. The secondary flood hazard at the 56th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Crawford County's preparedness calendar, since flood and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. For Crawford County households, safe rooms certified to FEMA 320/361 standards offer the highest protection during a direct tornado hit; households without a safe room should locate the innermost lowest-floor room in their building and practice the route to it before storm season.
Regional Context
Crawford County's composite risk score sits 12.9 points below the Wisconsin county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.
Is your household prepared for Crawford County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Crawford County, WI?
What types of natural hazards affect Crawford County?
How does Crawford County risk compare to the Wisconsin average?
Is Crawford County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Crawford County a safe place to live?
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.