riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Waushara County Disaster Risk

Waushara County, Wisconsin

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

43th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#57

of 72 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

45th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Waushara County

Risk Verdict

Waushara County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 43th 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 Waushara County, scoring in the 60th percentile nationally. It is followed by wildfire risk at the 51th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (45th), earthquake (13th), hurricane (9th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Waushara 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 wildfire 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

Waushara County is notably safer than the average county in Wisconsin. Its composite risk score is 15.8 points lower than the state average, indicating below-average exposure to natural hazards relative to other counties in the state.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Waushara County, WI?
Waushara County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 43th 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 Waushara County?
Waushara County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (60th percentile), wildfire (51th percentile), flooding (45th percentile), earthquake (13th percentile), hurricane (9th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 60th 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 Waushara County risk compare to the Wisconsin average?
Waushara County's composite risk percentile is 43th, compared to the Wisconsin state average of 59th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Waushara County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Wisconsin.
Is Waushara County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Waushara County's tornado risk is at the 60th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Waushara County is at the 45th 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.
Is Waushara County a safe place to live?
Waushara County's composite risk score of 43th percentile is below the Wisconsin state average of 59th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is tornado at the 60th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Pierce County

Wisconsin

-0.9

Very Low

42th percentile

Crawford County

Wisconsin

+3.0

Relatively Low

46th percentile

Green County

Wisconsin

+3.1

Relatively Low

46th 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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