riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Portage County Disaster Risk

Portage County, Wisconsin

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

63th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#37

of 72 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

67th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Portage County

Risk Verdict

Portage County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 63th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Portage County, scoring in the 70th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 67th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (32th), earthquake (17th), hurricane (0th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Portage 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

Portage County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Wisconsin. Its composite risk score is within 3.6 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of Wisconsin as a whole.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Portage County, WI?
Portage County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 63th 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 Portage County?
Portage County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (70th percentile), flooding (67th percentile), wildfire (32th percentile), earthquake (17th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 70th 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 Portage County risk compare to the Wisconsin average?
Portage County's composite risk percentile is 63th, compared to the Wisconsin state average of 59th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Portage County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Wisconsin.
Is Portage County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Portage County's tornado risk is at the 70th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Portage County is at the 67th 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 Portage County higher risk than average?
Portage County's composite risk score of 63th percentile is above the Wisconsin state average of 59th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (70th 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.

Counties with Similar Risk

Oneida County

Wisconsin

-0.2

Relatively Low

63th percentile

Douglas County

Wisconsin

-0.3

Relatively Low

62th percentile

Shawano County

Wisconsin

+0.4

Relatively Low

63th 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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