Oconto County Disaster Risk
Oconto County, Wisconsin
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
61th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#40
of 72 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
69th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 69% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 39% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 60% 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 0% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Oconto County, Wisconsin
Oconto County has below-average risk
Oconto County's composite risk score of 61.45 sits just above the national average, placing it in the lower-risk category despite modest exposure to flooding and tornadoes. Residents face manageable but real natural disaster risks requiring standard precautions.
Slightly above Wisconsin average
Oconto County scores 61.45, modestly above Wisconsin's state average of 59.08, ranking it in the middle-to-lower range statewide. This positioning suggests relatively stable conditions compared to high-risk counties like Milwaukee.
Comparable to surrounding counties
Oconto County's score of 61.45 falls between Oneida County (62.53) and Outagamie County (79.68), reflecting its position in northeastern Wisconsin's diverse risk landscape. Its wildfire risk of 38.80 is notably higher than most neighbors, a regional quirk worth monitoring.
Floods and tornados with wildfire concern
Flood risk scores 68.80 and tornado risk reaches 60.31 in Oconto County, with wildfire risk at 38.80—the highest among the county's hazard types. The combination of water-based and fire-based threats reflects the county's geography along Lake Michigan and forested interior.
Standard coverage with flood consideration
Oconto County residents near rivers or wetlands should evaluate flood insurance options, as the 68.80 flood risk score warrants attention. Standard homeowners and auto insurance should cover tornado and wildfire damage, but review your policy to confirm adequate coverage limits.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Oconto County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Oconto County
Risk Verdict
Oconto County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 61th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Oconto County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Oconto County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 69th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 60th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (39th percentile), earthquake (13th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Oconto County's top natural hazard is flood risk, ranked at the 69th 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. Alongside flooding, tornado exposure at the 60th percentile means households benefit from a multi-hazard preparedness plan rather than focusing on flood alone. For most Oconto 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
At just 2.4 composite points from the Wisconsin average, Oconto County's natural disaster risk is closely in line with its in-state peers.
Is your household prepared for Oconto County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Oconto County, WI?
What types of natural hazards affect Oconto County?
How does Oconto County risk compare to the Wisconsin average?
Is Oconto County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Oconto 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.