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

Lincoln County Disaster Risk

Lincoln County, Wisconsin

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

53th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#45

of 72 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

56th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lincoln County, Wisconsin

Lincoln County faces relatively low risk

Lincoln County's composite risk score of 52.64 sits below Wisconsin's state average of 59.08, earning a "Relatively Low" rating for national disaster exposure. The score reflects moderate hazard exposure without extreme concentrations.

Below-average risk across Wisconsin

At 52.64, Lincoln County scores meaningfully lower than the state average of 59.08, ranking it in the safer half of Wisconsin's 72 counties. This reflects the county's relatively modest exposure to most major hazard types.

Safer than nearby Marathon County

Lincoln County's 52.64 score compares favorably to Marathon County (87.15), its largest neighbor, though it ranks slightly higher than Langlade County (49.55). The county occupies a moderate position within its regional hazard landscape.

Flooding is Lincoln's primary threat

Flood risk dominates Lincoln County's profile at 56.20—the single largest hazard exposure in the county. Tornado risk (44.02) and wildfire risk (29.61) follow as secondary concerns, while earthquake and hurricane risks remain minimal.

Flood insurance should be priority one

Lincoln County residents face notable flood risk and should evaluate whether flood insurance makes sense for their property location and home value. Complementing this with standard homeowners coverage for wind and hail creates a well-rounded protection strategy.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lincoln County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    56th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    44th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    30th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Lincoln County

Risk Verdict

Lincoln County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 53th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Lincoln County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Lincoln County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 56th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 44th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (30th percentile), earthquake (4th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Lincoln County's top natural hazard is flood risk, ranked at the 56th percentile nationally. Homeowners here should confirm whether they are in a FEMA-designated flood zone and check if standard homeowners insurance covers flood damage — it typically does not. The county's second-ranked hazard, tornado at the 44th percentile nationally, means Lincoln County residents face compounding risks from multiple natural hazard types during peak seasons. For most Lincoln County households, the highest-return preparedness step is storing critical documents in digital cloud backup combined with a pre-designated family meeting point if communication is disrupted.

Regional Context

The Wisconsin county average exceeds Lincoln County's score by 6.4 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, WI?
Lincoln County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 53th 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 Lincoln County?
Lincoln County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (56th percentile), tornado (44th percentile), wildfire (30th percentile), earthquake (4th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 56th 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 Lincoln County risk compare to the Wisconsin average?
Lincoln County's composite risk percentile is 53th, compared to the Wisconsin state average of 59th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Lincoln County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Wisconsin.
Is Lincoln County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Lincoln County's flooding risk is at the 56th percentile nationally. This is above the national median.
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 Lincoln County a safe place to live?
Lincoln County's composite risk score of 53th 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 flooding at the 56th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.