Kenosha County Disaster Risk
Kenosha County, Wisconsin
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
85th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#9
of 72 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
77th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 77% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 29% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 93% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 61% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 18% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Kenosha County, Wisconsin
Kenosha County: Moderate U.S. Risk Profile
Kenosha County scores 84.96, earning a Relatively Moderate rating and placing it in the higher-risk category nationally. The county faces significant natural disaster exposure compared to the typical American county.
Wisconsin's Highest-Risk County
Kenosha County's score of 84.96 is the highest in Wisconsin and 44% above the state average of 59.08. The county experiences substantially greater natural disaster exposure than virtually all other Wisconsin counties.
Substantially Riskier Than Regional Peers
Kenosha County (84.96) significantly exceeds neighbors like Jefferson County (75.80) and La Crosse County (80.53). As the state's riskiest county, Kenosha faces unique hazard exposure in southeastern Wisconsin.
Tornadoes, Floods, and Earthquakes Threaten
Kenosha County's tornado risk of 92.68 is among the highest in the nation, followed by flood risk at 76.59. Earthquake risk (61.45) is unusually high for Wisconsin, likely due to proximity to Lake Michigan and underlying geology.
Comprehensive Coverage Essential for Kenosha
Kenosha County residents must obtain flood insurance and verify robust wind coverage in their homeowners policies, given the tornado risk. Consider earthquake insurance as an additional safeguard—the county's elevated seismic activity is rare for Wisconsin and requires special attention.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Kenosha County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Kenosha County
Risk Verdict
At the 85th percentile nationally, Kenosha County sits in the upper half of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure. At this risk level, having a documented household preparedness plan — not just awareness — is the meaningful next step for Kenosha County residents.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Kenosha County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 93th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 77th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (61th percentile), wildfire (29th percentile), hurricane (18th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Tornado exposure at the 93th percentile nationally makes Kenosha County a county where a battery-powered weather radio — not just smartphone apps — is a worthwhile household investment, given that mobile networks often fail during severe storms. The secondary flood hazard at the 77th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Kenosha County's preparedness calendar, since flood and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. In Kenosha County, tornado watches indicate favorable atmospheric conditions while warnings mean rotation has been detected — households benefit from understanding this distinction so they shelter immediately on a warning, not after seeking visual confirmation.
Regional Context
The Wisconsin county average is 25.9 composite points below Kenosha County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Kenosha County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Kenosha County, WI?
What types of natural hazards affect Kenosha County?
How does Kenosha County risk compare to the Wisconsin average?
Is Kenosha County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Kenosha County higher risk than average?
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.