riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Milwaukee County Disaster Risk

Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively High

National Percentile

98th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#1

of 72 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

97th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively High

Higher than 97% 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 High

Higher than 99% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 81% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Milwaukee County

Risk Verdict

Milwaukee County carries a relatively high overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 98th percentile nationally. This places it among the most at-risk counties in the United States. Residents should prioritize comprehensive emergency preparedness, including reviewing insurance coverage and having an evacuation plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Milwaukee County, scoring in the 99th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 97th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (81th), wildfire (30th), hurricane (19th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Milwaukee County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Milwaukee County is significantly riskier than the average county in Wisconsin. Its composite risk score is 39.3 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Milwaukee County, WI?
Milwaukee County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively High, placing it in the 98th 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 Milwaukee County?
Milwaukee County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (99th percentile), flooding (97th percentile), earthquake (81th percentile), wildfire (30th percentile), hurricane (19th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 99th 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 Milwaukee County risk compare to the Wisconsin average?
Milwaukee County's composite risk percentile is 98th, compared to the Wisconsin state average of 59th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Milwaukee County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Wisconsin.
Is Milwaukee County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Milwaukee County's tornado risk is at the 99th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Milwaukee County is at the 97th 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.
Why is Milwaukee County higher risk than average?
Milwaukee County's composite risk score of 98th percentile is above the Wisconsin state average of 59th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (99th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Dane County

Wisconsin

-4.5

Relatively Moderate

94th percentile

Brown County

Wisconsin

-8.3

Relatively Moderate

90th percentile

Waukesha County

Wisconsin

-9.5

Relatively Moderate

89th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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