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

Fond du Lac County Disaster Risk

Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

76th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#16

of 72 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

74th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin

Fond du Lac faces substantial national risk

Fond du Lac County scores 76.30 on the composite risk scale, placing it well above the national average and indicating elevated disaster exposure. This county experiences natural hazards at rates significantly higher than most of the nation.

Among Wisconsin's riskier counties

At 76.30, Fond du Lac County substantially exceeds Wisconsin's state average of 59.08, ranking near the top of the state's highest-risk communities. Only the most vulnerable Wisconsin counties face comparable multi-hazard exposure.

Region's most hazard-exposed area

Fond du Lac County's 76.30 score far exceeds neighboring Green Lake County (58.05) and Grant County (61.07), making it the region's most vulnerable community. This elevated profile reflects unique exposure across multiple hazard types.

Tornadoes dominate multiple threats

Tornado risk reaches 88.49—among Wisconsin's highest—making severe weather the county's primary threat, while flooding at 74.33 presents substantial secondary risk. Wildfire (50.70), earthquake (34.96), and even hurricane risk (20.65) all exceed state norms, creating compounded exposure.

Build comprehensive disaster resilience

With tornado risk at 88.49, installing a safe room or reinforced shelter is a critical investment alongside comprehensive homeowners and flood insurance. Regular emergency preparedness drills and a detailed family action plan are essential given the county's multi-hazard vulnerability profile.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Fond du Lac County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    88th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    74th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    51th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Fond du Lac County

Risk Verdict

At the 76th percentile nationally, Fond du Lac County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in Fond du Lac County.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Fond du Lac County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 74th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (51th percentile), earthquake (35th percentile), hurricane (21th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Fond du Lac County's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 88th percentile nationally. In Fond du Lac 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. Alongside tornado exposure, flood at the 74th percentile nationally means Fond du Lac County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when Fond du Lac County residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to Fond du Lac County households.

Regional Context

Fond du Lac County falls 17.2 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 Fond du Lac 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 Fond du Lac County, WI?
Fond du Lac County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 76th 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 Fond du Lac County?
Fond du Lac County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (88th percentile), flooding (74th percentile), wildfire (51th percentile), earthquake (35th percentile), hurricane (21th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 88th 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 Fond du Lac County risk compare to the Wisconsin average?
Fond du Lac County's composite risk percentile is 76th, compared to the Wisconsin state average of 59th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Fond du Lac County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Wisconsin.
Is Fond du Lac County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Fond du Lac County's tornado risk is at the 88th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Fond du Lac County is at the 74th 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 Fond du Lac County higher risk than average?
Fond du Lac County's composite risk score of 76th percentile is above the Wisconsin state average of 59th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (88th percentile), along with flooding and wildfire 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

Wood County

Wisconsin

-0.4

Relatively Low

76th percentile

Jefferson County

Wisconsin

-0.5

Relatively Low

76th percentile

Vernon County

Wisconsin

-1.3

Relatively Low

75th percentile

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.

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