Jackson County Disaster Risk
Jackson County, Wisconsin
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
48th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#51
of 72 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
55th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 55% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 31% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 52% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 6% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 0% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Jackson County, Wisconsin
Jackson County: Below-Average National Risk
Jackson County's composite risk score of 48.06 places it in the Relatively Low category, substantially below many U.S. counties. The county faces moderate but manageable natural disaster exposure.
Below Wisconsin's Average Risk
Jackson County scores 48.06 compared to Wisconsin's state average of 59.08, positioning it in the lower-risk half of state counties. The county's risk profile is about 20% below the statewide norm.
Safer Than Juneau, Similar to Iowa
Jackson County (48.06) sits between Iowa County's lower risk (23.38) and Juneau County's higher exposure (70.80). Within its region, Jackson County offers moderate protection against major natural disasters.
Flooding and Tornadoes Lead Threats
Jackson County's flood risk scores 54.71, its highest exposure, while tornado risk reaches 51.56. Wildfire risk at 30.98 rounds out the county's notable hazards, though earthquake and hurricane risks remain low.
Prepare for Flood and Tornado Season
Jackson County residents should invest in flood insurance, especially in lower-lying areas, and develop a tornado safety plan. Standard homeowners policies don't cover flooding—verify you have separate flood coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Jackson County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Jackson County
Risk Verdict
At the 48th percentile nationally, Jackson County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Even at the 48th percentile, Jackson County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Jackson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 55th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 52th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (31th percentile), earthquake (6th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Jackson County's dominant hazard is flooding, ranked at the 55th percentile nationally. In addition to flood insurance, residents should identify their nearest evacuation shelter and store key documents in waterproof containers. Alongside flooding, tornado exposure at the 52th percentile means households benefit from a multi-hazard preparedness plan rather than focusing on flood alone. Jackson County's county emergency management office publishes hazard-specific guidance tailored to local conditions; bookmarking that resource and the county's alert system is a practical first step for any household.
Regional Context
Compared to the Wisconsin county average, Jackson County's composite score runs 11.0 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.
Is your household prepared for Jackson County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Jackson County, WI?
What types of natural hazards affect Jackson County?
How does Jackson County risk compare to the Wisconsin average?
Is Jackson County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Jackson County a safe place to live?
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.