Walworth County Disaster Risk
Walworth County, Wisconsin
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
75th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#20
of 72 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
73th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 73% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 25% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 88% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 52% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 13% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Walworth County, Wisconsin
Walworth's risk sits above the middle
Walworth County scores 74.78 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the relatively low risk category nationally. This is 26% higher than Wisconsin's state average of 59.08, but well below the most hazard-prone counties across the country.
Middling risk within Wisconsin
Among Wisconsin's 72 counties, Walworth ranks in the upper-middle tier for overall disaster risk. The county's score reflects elevated tornado and flood risks that exceed state averages, though wildfire and earthquake threats remain modest.
Riskier than surrounding counties
Walworth faces notably higher composite risk (74.78) compared to nearby Waushara County (43.26) and Waupaca County (67.59). However, neighboring Waukesha County (88.87) presents substantially greater overall hazard exposure.
Tornadoes and floods dominate here
Tornado risk reaches 88.20 in Walworth—among the highest in the state—while flood risk scores 73.16, meaning significant portions of the county sit in flood-prone areas. Wildfire risk remains low at 25.25, posing minimal threat to most residents.
Prioritize flood and wind coverage
Walworth residents should ensure comprehensive homeowners insurance that covers wind damage from severe storms and tornadoes. Standard policies don't cover flooding; separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program is essential for properties in high-risk zones.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Walworth County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Walworth County
Risk Verdict
Walworth County ranks at the 75th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Walworth County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 73th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (52th percentile), wildfire (25th percentile), hurricane (13th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Walworth County ranks at the 88th percentile nationally for tornado exposure. Unlike many slow-onset hazards, tornadoes in Walworth County can reach full intensity in minutes; a pre-practiced household shelter plan matters far more than stockpiled supplies. Flood is the second hazard driver for Walworth County at the 73th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. Walworth County county emergency management typically publishes annual severe-weather preparedness guides tailored to local tornado patterns; households benefit from reviewing these before storm season begins each spring.
Regional Context
Compared to other Wisconsin counties, Walworth County runs 15.7 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.
Is your household prepared for Walworth County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Walworth County, WI?
What types of natural hazards affect Walworth County?
How does Walworth County risk compare to the Wisconsin average?
Is Walworth County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Walworth 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.