Monroe County Disaster Risk
Monroe County, Wisconsin
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
79th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#14
of 72 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
78th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 78% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 33% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 76% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 18% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 11% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Monroe County, Wisconsin
Monroe sits above average national risk
Monroe County's composite risk score of 78.85 exceeds the national average, though its "Relatively Low" rating reflects Wisconsin's overall risk profile. The county faces meaningful exposure to flooding and tornadoes that warrant attention from property owners.
Mid-range risk within Wisconsin
Monroe County's score of 78.85 ranks it in the upper-middle tier of Wisconsin counties, well above the state average of 59.08. This positioning reflects the county's placement in a region with elevated severe weather activity.
Elevated risk compared to neighbors
Monroe County's score of 78.85 outpaces nearby Oneida County (62.53) but trails Outagamie County (79.68). The variation across this region shows how local geography and weather patterns create distinct risk profiles even among adjacent communities.
Flooding and tornadoes dominate threats
Flood risk scores 78.44 and tornado risk reaches 76.34 in Monroe County, making these the primary natural disaster concerns for residents. Earthquake risk of 17.59 presents a secondary but non-zero concern, unusual for Wisconsin.
Flood and wind coverage recommended
Monroe County residents should obtain standalone flood insurance, as standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage—critical given the county's 78.44 flood score. Wind and hail coverage should also be verified, given tornado risk of 76.34.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Monroe County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Monroe County
Risk Verdict
At the 79th percentile nationally, Monroe County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in Monroe County.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Monroe County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 78th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 76th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (33th percentile), earthquake (18th percentile), hurricane (11th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Monroe County's dominant hazard is flooding, ranked at the 78th percentile nationally. In addition to flood insurance, residents should identify their nearest evacuation shelter and store key documents in waterproof containers. The county's second-ranked hazard, tornado at the 76th percentile nationally, means Monroe County residents face compounding risks from multiple natural hazard types during peak seasons. Monroe 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
Monroe County falls 19.8 points above Wisconsin's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.
Is your household prepared for Monroe County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Monroe County, WI?
What types of natural hazards affect Monroe County?
How does Monroe County risk compare to the Wisconsin average?
Is Monroe County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Monroe 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.