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

Forest County Disaster Risk

Forest County, Wisconsin

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

47th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#53

of 72 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

21th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 22% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Forest County, Wisconsin

Forest County remains exceptionally safe

Forest County scores 47.39 on the composite risk scale, placing it well below the national average and among the nation's safest communities for natural disasters. This county experiences minimal exposure across virtually all hazard types.

Wisconsin's safest counties

At 47.39, Forest County sits well below Wisconsin's state average of 59.08, making it one of the state's lowest-risk communities. Only a handful of Wisconsin counties offer comparable protection from natural hazards.

Among the region's safest

Forest County's 47.39 score ranks alongside Dunn County (48.79) as among the region's lowest-risk areas, significantly safer than Eau Claire County (78.31) or Fond du Lac County (76.30). This makes Forest one of the region's most secure locations for disaster exposure.

Tornado risk is notable concern

Tornado risk at 21.98 represents Forest County's highest hazard, though it remains well below state and national averages. Other risks—flooding (20.74), wildfire (13.42), and earthquake (1.62)—are all minimal, creating a remarkably low-risk profile overall.

Maintain baseline coverage

Forest County's exceptionally low risk profile means comprehensive disaster coverage is less critical than in higher-risk areas, but standard homeowners insurance remains a prudent foundation. Periodic policy reviews ensure adequate protection for the infrequent severe weather events that may occur.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Forest County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    22th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    21th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    13th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Forest County

Risk Verdict

Forest County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 47th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Forest County residents can take confidence from a 47th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Forest County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 22th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 21th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (13th percentile), earthquake (2th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado risk is Forest County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 22th percentile nationally. For Forest County households, the most protective action available is identifying a reinforced interior room on the lowest floor — a bathroom, closet, or central hallway away from windows. The secondary flood hazard at the 21th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Forest County's preparedness calendar, since flood and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. A battery-powered NOAA All Hazards weather radio with an auto-alert tone is the highest-leverage single item for tornado preparedness in Forest County, since it delivers warnings even when power is out and phone networks are congested.

Regional Context

The Wisconsin county average exceeds Forest County's score by 11.7 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Forest 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 Forest County, WI?
Forest 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 Forest County?
Forest County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (22th percentile), flooding (21th percentile), wildfire (13th percentile), earthquake (2th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 22th 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 Forest County risk compare to the Wisconsin average?
Forest 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 Forest County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Wisconsin.
Is Forest County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Forest County's tornado risk is at the 22th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Forest County is at the 21th 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 Forest County a safe place to live?
Forest 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 tornado at the 22th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Marquette County

Wisconsin

+0.2

Relatively Low

48th percentile

Door County

Wisconsin

-0.5

Relatively Low

47th percentile

Jackson County

Wisconsin

+0.7

Relatively Low

48th 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.

Explore more data for Forest County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score