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

Outagamie County Disaster Risk

Outagamie County, Wisconsin

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

80th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#13

of 72 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

77th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Outagamie County, Wisconsin

Outagamie faces moderately high risk

Outagamie County's composite risk score of 79.68 exceeds the national average, placing it in the higher-risk tier despite its "Relatively Low" Wisconsin state designation. Tornado risk is the primary driver of this score.

Upper-tier risk among Wisconsin counties

Outagamie County ranks in the top tier of Wisconsin counties with a score of 79.68, well above the state average of 59.08. Only Milwaukee County (98.38) and a handful of others exceed this risk level statewide.

Riskier than most surrounding areas

Outagamie County's score of 79.68 significantly exceeds neighbors Oconto (61.45) and Oneida (62.53), driven primarily by exceptionally high tornado risk. This makes Outagamie a notable outlier in its region for severe weather exposure.

Tornado risk ranks among state's highest

Tornado risk reaches 86.83 in Outagamie County—one of the highest scores in Wisconsin—while flood risk scores 77.10. These two hazards dominate the county's risk profile and should be the focus of preparedness efforts.

Tornado preparedness is critical priority

Outagamie County residents must prioritize tornado safety with reinforced safe rooms, weather alert systems, and regular preparedness drills given the 86.83 tornado score. Flood insurance should also be obtained for properties near the Fox River and tributary areas, as the 77.10 flood risk is substantial.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Outagamie County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    87th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    77th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    29th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Outagamie County

Risk Verdict

Outagamie County's FEMA risk score places it at the 80th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. At this risk level, having a documented household preparedness plan — not just awareness — is the meaningful next step for Outagamie County residents.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Outagamie County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 77th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (29th percentile), wildfire (27th percentile), hurricane (18th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado exposure at the 87th percentile nationally makes Outagamie County a county where a battery-powered weather radio — not just smartphone apps — is a worthwhile household investment, given that mobile networks often fail during severe storms. Alongside tornado exposure, flood at the 77th percentile nationally means Outagamie County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. In Outagamie County, tornado watches indicate favorable atmospheric conditions while warnings mean rotation has been detected — households benefit from understanding this distinction so they shelter immediately on a warning, not after seeking visual confirmation.

Regional Context

The Wisconsin county average is 20.6 composite points below Outagamie County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for Outagamie 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 Outagamie County, WI?
Outagamie County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 80th 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 Outagamie County?
Outagamie County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (87th percentile), flooding (77th percentile), earthquake (29th percentile), wildfire (27th percentile), hurricane (18th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 87th 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 Outagamie County risk compare to the Wisconsin average?
Outagamie County's composite risk percentile is 80th, compared to the Wisconsin state average of 59th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Outagamie County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Wisconsin.
Is Outagamie County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Outagamie County's tornado risk is at the 87th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Outagamie County is at the 77th 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 Outagamie County higher risk than average?
Outagamie County's composite risk score of 80th percentile is above the Wisconsin state average of 59th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (87th percentile), along with flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.