riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Waukesha County Disaster Risk

Waukesha County, Wisconsin

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

89th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#4

of 72 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

90th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 96% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Waukesha County

Risk Verdict

Waukesha County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 89th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Waukesha County, scoring in the 96th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 90th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (57th), wildfire (50th), hurricane (10th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Waukesha 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

Waukesha County is significantly riskier than the average county in Wisconsin. Its composite risk score is 29.8 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Waukesha County, WI?
Waukesha County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 89th 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 Waukesha County?
Waukesha County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (96th percentile), flooding (90th percentile), earthquake (57th percentile), wildfire (50th percentile), hurricane (10th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 96th 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 Waukesha County risk compare to the Wisconsin average?
Waukesha County's composite risk percentile is 89th, compared to the Wisconsin state average of 59th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Waukesha County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Wisconsin.
Is Waukesha County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Waukesha County's tornado risk is at the 96th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Waukesha County is at the 90th 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 Waukesha County higher risk than average?
Waukesha County's composite risk score of 89th percentile is above the Wisconsin state average of 59th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (96th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake 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

Brown County

Wisconsin

+1.2

Relatively Moderate

90th percentile

Marathon County

Wisconsin

-1.7

Relatively Moderate

87th percentile

Winnebago County

Wisconsin

-2.0

Relatively Moderate

87th 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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