riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Wood County Disaster Risk

Wood County, Wisconsin

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

76th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#17

of 72 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

78th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Wood County, Wisconsin

Wood County's risk runs elevated

Wood County scores 75.89 on the composite risk index, earning a relatively low risk rating despite running 28% above Wisconsin's state average of 59.08. The county's hazard profile ranks in the moderate-to-high range nationally.

Upper-middle tier within Wisconsin

Wood County ranks in the upper portion of Wisconsin's 72 counties for natural disaster risk. Flood and tornado hazards significantly exceed state averages, driving the county's elevated composite score.

Riskier than most nearby counties

Wood County (75.89) faces higher composite risk than Washburn County (32.76) and Waushara County (43.26) to the north and south. It remains comparable to or slightly safer than Walworth County (74.78) and Winnebago County (86.83).

Floods and tornadoes lead threats

Flood risk scores 77.67 in Wood County, affecting significant portions of the community, while tornado risk reaches 78.98. Wildfire risk (48.16) and earthquake risk (21.37) pose secondary threats; hurricane risk remains zero.

Prioritize flood and wind insurance

Wood County homeowners need comprehensive coverage including strong wind and tornado protection in standard policies. Flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program is highly recommended, especially for properties near rivers, streams, or mapped flood zones.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Wood County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    79th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    78th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    48th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Wood County

Risk Verdict

Wood County ranks at the 76th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Comprehensive household preparedness — including reviewing insurance, maintaining emergency supplies, and knowing evacuation routes — is strongly recommended.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Wood County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 79th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 78th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (48th percentile), earthquake (21th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wood County ranks at the 79th percentile nationally for tornado exposure. Unlike many slow-onset hazards, tornadoes in Wood County can reach full intensity in minutes; a pre-practiced household shelter plan matters far more than stockpiled supplies. Alongside tornado exposure, flood at the 78th percentile nationally means Wood County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. Wood 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, Wood County runs 16.8 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Wood County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Wood County, WI?
Wood County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 76th 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 Wood County?
Wood County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (79th percentile), flooding (78th percentile), wildfire (48th percentile), earthquake (21th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 79th 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 Wood County risk compare to the Wisconsin average?
Wood County's composite risk percentile is 76th, compared to the Wisconsin state average of 59th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Wood County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Wisconsin.
Is Wood County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Wood County's tornado risk is at the 79th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Wood County is at the 78th 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 Wood County higher risk than average?
Wood County's composite risk score of 76th percentile is above the Wisconsin state average of 59th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (79th 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

Jefferson County

Wisconsin

-0.1

Relatively Low

76th percentile

Fond du Lac County

Wisconsin

+0.4

Relatively Low

76th percentile

Vernon County

Wisconsin

-0.9

Relatively Low

75th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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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