Waupaca County Disaster Risk
Waupaca County, Wisconsin
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
68th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#31
of 72 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
66th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 66% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 41% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 77% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 19% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 0% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Waupaca County, Wisconsin
Waupaca's risk slightly above average
Waupaca County scores 67.59, falling into the relatively low risk category despite running 14% above Wisconsin's state average of 59.08. The county's composite risk places it in the moderate range nationally.
Upper-middle tier within Wisconsin
Among Wisconsin's 72 counties, Waupaca ranks in the upper half for natural disaster risk. Tornado and flood hazards drive the county's above-average score, while other risks remain relatively contained.
Comparable risk to nearby areas
Waupaca County (67.59) sits very close to neighboring Washington County (68.32) in composite risk. Both face similar threats, though Waupaca avoids the highest risk levels seen in Waukesha County (88.87) to the south.
Tornadoes and floods top the list
Tornado risk reaches 76.81 in Waupaca, while flood risk scores 66.28, creating dual exposure across much of the county. Wildfire risk (40.87) and earthquake risk (19.27) pose minimal threats, with zero hurricane exposure.
Don't skip flood insurance
Waupaca residents need strong wind and tornado coverage in their standard homeowners policies. For any property in a flood zone or with water damage history, National Flood Insurance Program coverage is essential and often surprisingly affordable.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Waupaca County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Waupaca County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard pressure in Waupaca County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 68th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Waupaca County's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Waupaca County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 77th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 66th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (41th percentile), earthquake (19th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With tornado ranked at the 77th percentile nationally, Waupaca County sits in a high-exposure zone where the difference between outcomes often comes down to proximity to a reinforced interior shelter and seconds of warning time. Alongside tornado exposure, flood at the 66th percentile nationally means Waupaca County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. For Waupaca County households, safe rooms certified to FEMA 320/361 standards offer the highest protection during a direct tornado hit; households without a safe room should locate the innermost lowest-floor room in their building and practice the route to it before storm season.
Regional Context
Waupaca County is 8.5 composite risk points above the Wisconsin average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.
Is your household prepared for Waupaca County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Waupaca County, WI?
What types of natural hazards affect Waupaca County?
How does Waupaca County risk compare to the Wisconsin average?
Is Waupaca County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Waupaca 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.