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

Grant County Disaster Risk

Grant County, Wisconsin

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

61th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#41

of 72 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

62th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Grant County, Wisconsin

Grant County faces moderate-elevated risk

Grant County scores 61.07 on the composite risk scale, placing it slightly above the national average and indicating moderate-to-elevated natural disaster exposure. This county experiences hazards at rates comparable to or somewhat higher than much of the nation.

Above Wisconsin's average vulnerability

At 61.07, Grant County exceeds Wisconsin's state average of 59.08, placing it among the state's more vulnerable communities. This modest elevation indicates moderate hazard exposure compared to peers statewide.

More hazard-prone than neighbors

Grant County's 61.07 score exceeds nearby Green County (46.41) and Green Lake County (58.05), making it the more vulnerable member of this regional trio. However, it remains significantly safer than Fond du Lac County (76.30) and Eau Claire County (78.31).

Tornadoes lead multiple threats

Tornado risk dominates at 76.37, making severe thunderstorms the primary threat to Grant County residents, while flooding presents substantial secondary risk at 62.25. Earthquake (29.80) and hurricane (15.31) risks are moderate, with wildfire remaining minimal at 16.67.

Prioritize storm and flood coverage

With tornado risk at 76.37 and flood risk at 62.25, homeowners should secure comprehensive coverage for both wind and water damage. Develop and practice a family emergency plan focusing on tornado sheltering and flood evacuation routes.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Grant County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    76th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    62th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    30th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Grant County

Risk Verdict

Grant County ranks at the 61th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Grant County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 76th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 62th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (30th percentile), wildfire (17th percentile), hurricane (15th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Grant County ranks at the 76th percentile nationally for tornado exposure. Unlike many slow-onset hazards, tornadoes in Grant County can reach full intensity in minutes; a pre-practiced household shelter plan matters far more than stockpiled supplies. Flood is the second hazard driver for Grant County at the 62th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. Grant County county emergency management typically publishes annual severe-weather preparedness guides tailored to local tornado patterns; households benefit from reviewing these before storm season begins each spring.

Regional Context

The county's composite score diverges by only 2.0 points from the Wisconsin average, making Grant County's hazard profile broadly typical for this part of the state.

Is your household prepared for Grant 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 Grant County, WI?
Grant County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 61th 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 Grant County?
Grant County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (76th percentile), flooding (62th percentile), earthquake (30th percentile), wildfire (17th percentile), hurricane (15th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 76th 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 Grant County risk compare to the Wisconsin average?
Grant County's composite risk percentile is 61th, compared to the Wisconsin state average of 59th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Grant County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Wisconsin.
Is Grant County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Grant County's tornado risk is at the 76th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Grant County is at the 62th 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 Grant County higher risk than average?
Grant County's composite risk score of 61th percentile is above the Wisconsin state average of 59th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (76th percentile), along with flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.