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

Kewaunee County Disaster Risk

Kewaunee County, Wisconsin

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

17th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#68

of 72 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

30th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin

Kewaunee County: Well Below National Risk

Kewaunee County scores just 17.30 on the composite risk index, earning a Very Low rating and significantly outperforming most U.S. counties. The county enjoys exceptionally low exposure to natural disasters.

Among Wisconsin's Safest Counties

Kewaunee County's score of 17.30 is less than 30% of Wisconsin's state average of 59.08, placing it among the state's lowest-risk counties. The county's safety stands out within Wisconsin's disaster landscape.

Safer Than Most Regional Peers

Kewaunee County (17.30) substantially undercuts higher-risk neighbors like Jefferson County (75.80) and Kenosha County (84.96). The county's location on Door Peninsula provides geographic protection from many hazards.

Tornado and Flood Risks Are Minor

Kewaunee County's highest risk comes from tornadoes at 39.66, followed by flood risk at 30.20. Wildfire (9.86), earthquake (12.56), and hurricane (16.56) risks all remain modest.

Standard Coverage Protects Kewaunee Homes

Kewaunee County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance for comprehensive protection, given the county's very low overall risk. Maintain basic storm preparedness habits and keep gutters clear to minimize localized flood concerns.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Kewaunee County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    40th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    30th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    17th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Kewaunee County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Kewaunee County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 17th percentile. Kewaunee County residents can take confidence from a 17th 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 Kewaunee County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 40th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 30th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (17th percentile), earthquake (13th percentile), wildfire (10th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ranked at the 40th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Kewaunee County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Kewaunee County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Flood is the second hazard driver for Kewaunee County at the 30th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. Kewaunee 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

Kewaunee County is 41.8 composite risk points below the Wisconsin state mean, meaning most other Wisconsin counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Kewaunee 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 Kewaunee County, WI?
Kewaunee County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 17th 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 Kewaunee County?
Kewaunee County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (40th percentile), flooding (30th percentile), hurricane (17th percentile), earthquake (13th percentile), wildfire (10th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 40th 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 Kewaunee County risk compare to the Wisconsin average?
Kewaunee County's composite risk percentile is 17th, compared to the Wisconsin state average of 59th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Kewaunee County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Wisconsin.
Is Kewaunee County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Kewaunee County's tornado risk is at the 40th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Kewaunee County is at the 30th 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 Kewaunee County a safe place to live?
Kewaunee County's composite risk score of 17th 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 40th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Buffalo County

Wisconsin

-2.8

Very Low

15th percentile

Iron County

Wisconsin

-5.8

Very Low

11th percentile

Iowa County

Wisconsin

+6.1

Very Low

23th 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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