Dane County Disaster Risk
Dane County, Wisconsin
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
94th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#2
of 72 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
94th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively High
Higher than 94% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 60% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively High
Higher than 98% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 71% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 29% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Dane County, Wisconsin
Dane faces exceptional national risk
Dane County scores 93.86, earning a Relatively Moderate rating that places it among the nation's highest-risk counties for natural disasters. This score far exceeds Wisconsin's state average of 59.08, reflecting convergence of multiple severe hazards.
Wisconsin's most vulnerable county
Dane County ranks as the highest-risk county in Wisconsin with a composite score of 93.86 that dwarfs statewide and national baselines. No Wisconsin county faces greater overall natural disaster exposure than Dane.
Dramatically riskier than all neighbors
Dane County (93.86) faces nearly twice the disaster risk of Columbia County (81.42), the state's second-most vulnerable area, and vastly exceeds Dodge County (69.91) and other surrounding counties. This makes Dane a unique outlier in Wisconsin's disaster risk landscape.
Tornadoes, floods, earthquakes converge
Dane's tornado risk reaches 97.58, flood risk stands at 94.31, and earthquake risk climbs to 70.67—an extraordinary triple threat. Wildfire exposure (60.24) and even hurricane risk (29.16) significantly exceed state and regional norms.
Multi-layer insurance is essential here
Dane County residents face genuine, exceptional disaster risk and must carry comprehensive homeowners insurance with windstorm, flood, and earthquake coverage. Given the county's extreme exposure across multiple hazard types, work with an insurance professional to ensure your policy matches the genuine threats you face.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Dane County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Dane County
Risk Verdict
Dane County registers a moderately elevated natural disaster risk, ranking at the 94th percentile across all U.S. counties. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in Dane County.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Dane County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 98th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 94th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (71th percentile), wildfire (60th percentile), hurricane (29th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Dane County's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 98th percentile nationally. In Dane County, mobile homes and manufactured housing face significantly higher tornado risk than site-built structures; residents in these homes should identify the nearest permanent community shelter in advance. Flood is the second hazard driver for Dane County at the 94th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when Dane County residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to Dane County households.
Regional Context
Dane County falls 34.8 points above Wisconsin's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.
Is your household prepared for Dane County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Dane County, WI?
What types of natural hazards affect Dane County?
How does Dane County risk compare to the Wisconsin average?
Is Dane County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Dane 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.