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

Door County Disaster Risk

Door County, Wisconsin

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

47th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#54

of 72 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

52th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Door County, Wisconsin

Door's risk slightly below state norm

Door County scores 46.88, earning a Relatively Low rating and sitting slightly below Wisconsin's state average of 59.08. This places Door among the safer U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure overall.

Among Wisconsin's safest counties

Door County ranks as one of Wisconsin's lowest-risk counties for natural disasters, with a composite score of 46.88 that positions it in the bottom tier of statewide vulnerability. Only a handful of Wisconsin counties enjoy lower overall disaster risk.

Comparable to Crawford, safer than most

Door County (46.88) faces nearly identical risk to Crawford County (46.22), making both among Wisconsin's safest areas. Both dramatically exceed Columbia County (81.42) and significantly trail Dane County (93.86) in vulnerability.

Wildfire and flooding are modest concerns

Door's wildfire risk reaches 39.89 and flood risk stands at 52.07, making these the county's primary but still moderate natural hazards. Tornado risk (47.55) ranks as secondary, while earthquake (12.75) and hurricane (0.00) threats remain minimal.

Standard insurance typically sufficient

Door County residents can generally rely on standard homeowners insurance for baseline protection against the county's modest hazard exposure. Adding a flood policy rider remains prudent given flood risk at 52, as standard policies exclude water damage.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Door County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    52th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    48th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    40th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Door County

Risk Verdict

Door County ranks at the 47th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. At the 47th percentile nationally, Door County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Door County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 52th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 48th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (40th percentile), earthquake (13th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Door County sits at the 52th percentile nationally for flood exposure. Knowing your property's flood zone designation — available at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center — is the first step toward understanding actual exposure and insurance options. Alongside flooding, tornado exposure at the 48th percentile means households benefit from a multi-hazard preparedness plan rather than focusing on flood alone. Regardless of specific hazard, Door County households benefit from a practiced communication plan: a designated out-of-state contact and a pre-agreed evacuation destination established before the season's peak risk period.

Regional Context

A composite score 12.2 points below the Wisconsin state average puts Door County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Door 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 Door County, WI?
Door County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 47th 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 Door County?
Door County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (52th percentile), tornado (48th percentile), wildfire (40th percentile), earthquake (13th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 52th 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 Door County risk compare to the Wisconsin average?
Door County's composite risk percentile is 47th, compared to the Wisconsin state average of 59th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Door County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Wisconsin.
Is Door County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Door County's flooding risk is at the 52th percentile nationally. This is above the national median.
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 Door County a safe place to live?
Door County's composite risk score of 47th 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 flooding at the 52th 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.