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

Green Lake County Disaster Risk

Green Lake County, Wisconsin

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

58th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#43

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

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Green Lake County, Wisconsin

Green Lake faces moderate national risk

Green Lake County scores 58.05 on the composite risk scale, placing it slightly below the national average and indicating moderate natural disaster exposure. This county experiences hazards at rates comparable to much of the nation, with neither exceptionally high nor low vulnerability.

Near Wisconsin's average vulnerability

At 58.05, Green Lake County sits just slightly below Wisconsin's state average of 59.08, making it a representative Wisconsin community in terms of natural disaster exposure. This places it squarely in the middle of the state's risk spectrum.

Mid-range risk in the region

Green Lake County's 58.05 score sits between safer neighbors Green County (46.41) and higher-risk areas like Grant County (61.07) and Fond du Lac County (76.30). This moderate positioning reflects balanced exposure compared to surrounding counties.

Tornadoes and flooding matter most

Tornado risk at 75.06 represents Green Lake County's primary hazard threat, while flooding at 62.31 presents substantial secondary concern, both above state averages. Wildfire (47.07), earthquake (24.01), and hurricane (12.68) risks are more moderate, though all measurable.

Invest in comprehensive coverage

With tornado risk at 75.06 and flood risk at 62.31, homeowners should prioritize robust insurance covering both wind and water damage from major storms. A well-maintained emergency plan and regular preparedness drills ensure family safety during the severe weather events common to this county.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Green Lake County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    75th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    62th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    47th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Green Lake County

Risk Verdict

Green Lake County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 58th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Green Lake County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Green Lake County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 75th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 62th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (47th percentile), earthquake (24th percentile), hurricane (13th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ranked at the 75th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Green Lake County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Green Lake County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. The secondary flood hazard at the 62th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Green Lake County's preparedness calendar, since flood and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. Green Lake 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

Green Lake County's composite risk score is within 1.0 points of the Wisconsin county average — a close alignment that reflects a broadly representative hazard environment for this part of the state.

Is your household prepared for Green Lake 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 Green Lake County, WI?
Green Lake County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 58th 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 Green Lake County?
Green Lake County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (75th percentile), flooding (62th percentile), wildfire (47th percentile), earthquake (24th percentile), hurricane (13th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 75th 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 Green Lake County risk compare to the Wisconsin average?
Green Lake County's composite risk percentile is 58th, compared to the Wisconsin state average of 59th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Green Lake County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Wisconsin.
Is Green Lake County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Green Lake County's tornado risk is at the 75th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Green Lake 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.
Is Green Lake County a safe place to live?
Green Lake County's composite risk score of 58th 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 75th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Trempealeau County

Wisconsin

+0.6

Relatively Low

59th percentile

Grant County

Wisconsin

+3.0

Relatively Low

61th percentile

Oconto County

Wisconsin

+3.4

Relatively Low

61th 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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