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

Dunn County Disaster Risk

Dunn County, Wisconsin

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

49th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#50

of 72 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

50th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Dunn County, Wisconsin

Dunn County's moderate risk landscape

Dunn County scores 48.79 on the national composite risk scale, placing it well below the national average and indicating relatively low overall disaster risk. This rating reflects a county that experiences natural hazards, but with manageable frequency and severity compared to the nation's most vulnerable areas.

Below Wisconsin's average risk

At 48.79, Dunn County sits significantly below Wisconsin's state average composite risk score of 59.08, making it one of the safer counties in the state for natural disasters. This puts Dunn County in a favorable position relative to peers across Wisconsin.

Safest county in this region

Dunn County's 48.79 score is notably lower than neighboring Eau Claire County (78.31), making Dunn one of the region's safer communities. Compared to other nearby counties like Green Lake (58.05) and Grant (61.07), Dunn residents face below-average natural disaster exposure.

Tornadoes and flooding dominate

Tornado risk ranks highest at 68.29, meaning severe weather events pose the primary threat to Dunn County residents and infrastructure. Flooding represents the second major concern at 50.16, while wildfire risk remains minimal at just 11.90.

Prepare for severe weather

With tornado risk at 68.29, comprehensive homeowners insurance with storm coverage and a reliable emergency plan are essential safeguards. Flood insurance is also recommended given the 50.16 flood risk score, particularly for properties in flood-prone areas or near waterways.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Dunn County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    68th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    50th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    12th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Dunn County

Risk Verdict

Dunn County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 49th percentile across all U.S. counties. Even at the 49th percentile, Dunn County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Dunn County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 68th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 50th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (12th percentile), earthquake (5th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ranked at the 68th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Dunn County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Dunn County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Alongside tornado exposure, flood at the 50th percentile nationally means Dunn County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. Dunn 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

Dunn County is 10.3 composite risk points below the Wisconsin state mean, meaning most other Wisconsin counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Dunn 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 Dunn County, WI?
Dunn County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 49th 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 Dunn County?
Dunn County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (68th percentile), flooding (50th percentile), wildfire (12th percentile), earthquake (5th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 68th 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 Dunn County risk compare to the Wisconsin average?
Dunn County's composite risk percentile is 49th, compared to the Wisconsin state average of 59th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Dunn County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Wisconsin.
Is Dunn County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Dunn County's tornado risk is at the 68th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Dunn County is at the 50th 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.
Is Dunn County a safe place to live?
Dunn County's composite risk score of 49th 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 tornado at the 68th 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.