FEMA declarations
56
Below median
State profile · FEMA + NOAA + National Risk Index
Wisconsin Natural Disasters
Wisconsin's federal declaration record sits near the middle of the state distribution. 56 FEMA disaster declarations are on record, led by flood, with $722.7M in combined property and crop damage. A moderate count like this can still mask a single catastrophic year rather than a steady annual pattern. NOAA storm event data shows 13,807 recorded weather events resulting in 196 fatalities, figures the state uses to prioritize disaster-preparedness planning.
- 56
- FEMA declarations
- 13,807
- NOAA storm events
- 196
- Storm fatalities
- $722.7M
- Property + crop damage
The Wisconsin risk picture
1 of the 72 counties FEMA scores, 1%, carry a FEMA "high-risk" National Risk Index rating, with riverine flooding the single largest driver of expected annual loss statewide. Wisconsin has 47 Major Disaster (DR) declarations; FEMA authorizes Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, or both separately for each declaration. NOAA-tracked storms have caused 431 injuries statewide.
- 1%
- of counties rated high-risk by FEMA National Risk Index
- 56
- FEMA disaster declarations on record
- $722.7M
- in tracked property + crop damage
- 9,388
- NFIP flood insurance claims filed statewide
FEMA's National Risk Index and NOAA's Storm Events Database measure different things: modeled long-run risk vs. observed severe-weather events. Storm Events is a reported dataset, so its counts track what was observed and logged, not every event that occurred, and reporting is denser where more people live. See the methodology for how they relate.
Major Disaster share
84%
Mostly major
NOAA storm events
13,807
Observed severe-weather records
How does Wisconsin compare?
Wisconsin vs. every U.S. state
FEMA disaster declarations, all-time
56 29th percentile higher than 29% of 59 states and territories
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more states and territories. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2 · 2026-08-25
Wisconsin county risk-score spread
FEMA National Risk Index composite scores, 0–100
59.1 43rd percentile higher than 43% of 72 county composite scores
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more county composite scores. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source FEMA National Risk Index (NRI), county composite scores · 2026-08-25
The declaration chart counts past federal actions. The county score chart summarizes FEMA's modeled National Risk Index composite; it is not a forecast, and a state average does not describe every county.
Do more storms mean more federal disasters?
Wisconsin sits at the 24th percentile of FEMA declaration volume and the 60th percentile of NOAA storm-event volume among 55 states and territories, those two ranks are not interchangeable.
FEMA declaration rank vs NOAA storm-event rank
Read the chart, every state as text
Percentiles are within this release's state/territory sample. Raw counts are the underlying FEMA and NOAA totals.
| State | FEMA decls | FEMA %ile | NOAA storms | NOAA %ile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 396 | 98 | 23,694 | 93 |
| Texas | 389 | 96 | 53,309 | 98 |
| Oklahoma | 258 | 95 | 23,896 | 95 |
| Washington | 215 | 93 | 4,408 | 22 |
| Florida | 188 | 91 | 12,838 | 55 |
| Oregon | 169 | 89 | 3,695 | 20 |
| New Mexico | 126 | 87 | 10,974 | 45 |
| Arizona | 120 | 85 | 9,541 | 38 |
| New York | 118 | 84 | 21,653 | 82 |
| Montana | 112 | 82 | 13,576 | 56 |
| Colorado | 111 | 78 | 18,340 | 73 |
| Louisiana | 111 | 78 | 11,204 | 47 |
| Nevada | 110 | 76 | 4,534 | 24 |
| Alabama | 102 | 75 | 14,583 | 64 |
| Kentucky | 98 | 71 | 19,947 | 78 |
| Mississippi | 98 | 71 | 14,100 | 62 |
| Tennessee | 97 | 69 | 16,645 | 69 |
| South Dakota | 96 | 67 | 22,759 | 87 |
| Alaska | 94 | 64 | 2,683 | 15 |
| Kansas | 94 | 64 | 25,115 | 96 |
| Arkansas | 87 | 60 | 13,637 | 58 |
| Nebraska | 87 | 60 | 20,136 | 80 |
| Missouri | 86 | 58 | 22,952 | 89 |
| North Carolina | 85 | 56 | 16,367 | 67 |
| West Virginia | 84 | 55 | 12,026 | 49 |
| Georgia | 81 | 51 | 16,676 | 71 |
| Minnesota | 81 | 51 | 19,109 | 75 |
| Iowa | 78 | 49 | 21,883 | 84 |
| Virginia | 77 | 47 | 23,584 | 91 |
| North Dakota | 75 | 45 | 10,818 | 44 |
| Hawaii | 72 | 44 | 6,200 | 31 |
| Maine | 71 | 42 | 4,781 | 27 |
| Illinois | 68 | 40 | 22,088 | 85 |
| Pennsylvania | 64 | 38 | 19,427 | 76 |
| New Hampshire | 63 | 36 | 2,547 | 11 |
| Vermont | 62 | 35 | 3,449 | 18 |
| Idaho | 60 | 31 | 5,142 | 29 |
| Ohio | 60 | 31 | 16,184 | 65 |
| Massachusetts | 59 | 25 | 6,781 | 33 |
| New Jersey | 59 | 25 | 8,218 | 35 |
| Utah | 59 | 25 | 4,578 | 25 |
| Wisconsin | 56 | 24 | 13,807 | 60 |
| Indiana | 54 | 22 | 12,687 | 53 |
| Puerto Rico | 51 | 18 | 2,944 | 16 |
| South Carolina | 51 | 18 | 10,520 | 42 |
| Michigan | 46 | 16 | 9,052 | 36 |
| Wyoming | 45 | 15 | 12,494 | 51 |
| Connecticut | 43 | 13 | 2,622 | 13 |
| Maryland | 38 | 11 | 10,290 | 40 |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | 33 | 9 | 88 | 0 |
| Rhode Island | 31 | 7 | 924 | 7 |
| Delaware | 26 | 5 | 1,475 | 9 |
| Guam | 25 | 4 | 258 | 2 |
| District of Columbia | 24 | 2 | 452 | 5 |
| American Samoa | 17 | 0 | 292 | 4 |
What shapes Wisconsin's record?
FEMA declaration types in Wisconsin
Wider bars = more declarations of that incident type
- Flood
Flood
21 declarations
- Severe Storm
Severe Storm
20 declarations
- Tornado 6
Tornado
6 declarations
- Snowstorm 4
Snowstorm
4 declarations
- Biological 2
Biological
2 declarations
- Hurricane 1
Hurricane
1 declarations
- Drought 1
Drought
1 declarations
- Fire 1
Fire
1 declarations
What this shows Flood leads Wisconsin's FEMA declaration mix with 21 records among the types shown.
NOAA storm events by year in Wisconsin
Reported severe-weather events, 2015-2025 catalog window
Peak year in this series: 2019 (1,573 events). Counts are reported events, not a complete census.
58 /100
Historical Activity Index
High historical activity
Wisconsin · PlainHazard-derived composite from federal records
This 0–100 index is an explicit PlainHazard composite mixing OpenFEMA declaration totals (1953–present) with NOAA Storm Events (2015–2025), different windows and event definitions, disclosed weights on the methodology page . It is not FEMA's National Risk Index, not a forecast, and not a safety, insurance, or preparedness rating. Open the calculator · Methodology
FEMA Declarations (1953–present) Moderate
9/30
56 OpenFEMA declarations, full ingest window (0.6x state average)
NOAA Storm Events (2015–2025) High
16/25
13807 NOAA storm events in the 2015–2025 extract (1.3x median state)
NOAA Damage (2015–2025) High
13/25
Recorded NOAA property+crop damage in the 2015–2025 extract (1.3x median state)
Hazard Diversity Very High
20/20
8 different disaster types declared in Wisconsin
What does Wisconsin's hazard record show?
NOAA storm events & FEMA National Risk Index
NOAA's Storm Events Database adds the near-term severe-weather lens. Between 2015 and 2025, Wisconsin recorded 13,807 individual storm events, causing 196 fatalities and 431 injuries, with combined property and crop damage estimated at $722.7M. The most frequent event types in the state are Thunderstorm Wind (3,504 events), Hail (2,620 events), Winter Weather (1,939 events). Across the 72counties FEMA scores here, its National Risk Index flags 1 as high-risk, with an average county Risk Index score (FEMA's own formula, distinct from our Historical Activity tool below) of 59.1/100.
What this count is, and is not. Storm Events is a reported database: NOAA compiles it from National Weather Service offices, trained spotters, law enforcement, and the public. It is a record of what was observed and logged, not a complete census of severe weather. Densely populated areas report more events than sparsely populated ones with similar meteorological exposure, and detection has improved over time, so an event count is not a like-for-like measure of hazard between places or across decades. Damage figures are field estimates, not audited losses. See methodology.
FEMA disaster declarations
Wisconsin (WI) has a moderate level of federal declaration activity, with 56 FEMA declaration records, including 47 Major Disaster declarations (DR). A DR may authorize Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, or both; those program approvals are not implied by the DR count. The dominant declaration type is Flood, followed by Severe Storm (20), Tornado (6), Snowstorm (4). Declaration counts at the state level reflect the cumulative federal footprint: large multi-county events count once per state, but repeat hazard patterns across decades are visible in the breakdown below.
Flood exposure & where to dig deeper
Flood exposure is quantified separately through the National Flood Insurance Program. Policyholders across 69Wisconsin counties have filed 9,388 NFIP claims totaling $141.0M, or an average of $15.0K per claim. NFIP data captures only insured flood losses, so uninsured flood damage and storm-surge losses outside mapped high-risk zones remain invisible in this figure. The highest-Expected-Annual-Loss hazard across the state is Riverine Flooding, estimated at $1.1B annually. Drill into individual counties for localized risk, read FEMA's hazard-specific briefings, and review insurance and flood-zone designations, state-level averages can mask sharp county-to-county differences in exposure and resilience.
Disaster Types in Wisconsin
Share of this state's FEMA declarations; the bar chart above is the same mix as counts.
Flood
37.5%
21 declarations
Severe Storm
35.7%
20 declarations
Tornado
10.7%
6 declarations
Snowstorm
7.1%
4 declarations
Biological
3.6%
2 declarations
Hurricane
1.8%
1 declarations
Drought
1.8%
1 declarations
Fire
1.8%
1 declarations
Storm Events by Type
NOAA storm event data for Wisconsin (2015-2025).
| Event Type | Events | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunderstorm Wind | 3,504 | 5 | 23 | $45.0M |
| Hail | 2,620 | 0 | 0 | $57.8M |
| Winter Weather | 1,939 | 43 | 152 | $2.1M |
| Winter Storm | 1,338 | 15 | 86 | $2.3M |
| Flood | 740 | 12 | 4 | $115.6M |
| Heavy Snow | 725 | 2 | 3 | $440.0K |
| Flash Flood | 383 | 7 | 7 | $333.0M |
| Drought | 359 | 0 | 0 | $0 |
| Tornado | 351 | 1 | 33 | $82.7M |
| Cold/Wind Chill | 347 | 58 | 0 | $0 |
| Extreme Cold/Wind Chill | 280 | 3 | 2 | $0 |
| Heavy Rain | 233 | 2 | 1 | $609.5K |
| Strong Wind | 196 | 4 | 2 | $809.9K |
| Excessive Heat | 187 | 2 | 0 | $0 |
| High Wind | 135 | 0 | 2 | $1.7M |
| Heat | 133 | 1 | 69 | $0 |
| Lightning | 74 | 3 | 17 | $8.7M |
| Ice Storm | 53 | 0 | 0 | $100.0K |
| Lakeshore Flood | 46 | 0 | 2 | $18.8M |
| Funnel Cloud | 45 | 0 | 0 | $0 |
Storm Events by Year
| Year | Events | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,476 | 9 | 8 | $182.9M |
| 2024 | 1,280 | 10 | 13 | $45.8M |
| 2023 | 1,325 | 7 | 58 | $8.8M |
| 2022 | 1,266 | 12 | 6 | $11.4M |
| 2021 | 1,165 | 16 | 67 | $11.2M |
| 2020 | 968 | 21 | 13 | $79.3M |
| 2019 | 1,573 | 26 | 150 | $20.7M |
| 2018 | 1,390 | 30 | 27 | $182.0M |
| 2017 | 1,346 | 23 | 42 | $82.8M |
| 2016 | 1,194 | 31 | 35 | $37.3M |
| 2015 | 824 | 11 | 12 | $8.7M |
FEMA Disaster Declarations
How the 56 FEMA declarations break into federal action codes (DR / EM / FM). Same DISTINCT grain as the table below.
Download all 56 declarations as CSV . Source data is public domain; our derived presentation is CC0.
56 unique disaster declarations in Wisconsin.
| DR# | Title | Type | Incident | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4923 | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING | DR | Flood | 2026-06-30 |
| 4892 | SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, FLOODING, AND MUDSLIDES | DR | Flood | 2025-09-11 |
| 4520 | COVID-19 PANDEMIC | DR | Biological | 2020-04-04 |
| 3454 | COVID-19 | EM | Biological | 2020-03-13 |
| 4477 | SEVERE WINTER STORM AND FLOODING | DR | Flood | 2020-03-11 |
| 4459 | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING | DR | Flood | 2019-08-27 |
| 4402 | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, FLOODING, AND LANDSLIDES | DR | Flood | 2018-10-18 |
| 4383 | SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING | DR | Flood | 2018-08-10 |
| 4343 | SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUD | DR | Severe Storm | 2017-10-07 |
| 4288 | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND MUDSLIDES | DR | Flood | 2016-10-20 |
| 4276 | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING | DR | Severe Storm | 2016-08-09 |
| 4141 | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND MUDSLIDES | DR | Severe Storm | 2013-08-08 |
| 4076 | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING | DR | Severe Storm | 2012-08-02 |
| 1966 | SEVERE WINTER STORM AND SNOWSTORM | DR | Snowstorm | 2011-04-05 |
| 1944 | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING | DR | Severe Storm | 2010-10-21 |
| 1933 | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING | DR | Severe Storm | 2010-08-11 |
| 1768 | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING | DR | Severe Storm | 2008-06-14 |
| 3285 | RECORD SNOW AND NEAR RECORD SNOW | EM | Snowstorm | 2008-03-19 |
| 1719 | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING | DR | Severe Storm | 2007-08-26 |
| 3249 | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION | EM | Hurricane | 2005-09-13 |
| 1526 | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING | DR | Severe Storm | 2004-06-18 |
| 1432 | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES AND FLOODING | DR | Tornado | 2002-09-10 |
| 1429 | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING | DR | Severe Storm | 2002-07-19 |
| 1369 | FLOODING, SEVERE STORMS AND TORNADOES | DR | Flood | 2001-05-11 |
| 3163 | SNOW | EM | Snowstorm | 2001-01-24 |
| 1332 | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING | DR | Severe Storm | 2000-06-24 |
| 1284 | WI-FLOOD-07/20/99 | DR | Flood | 1999-08-16 |
| 1238 | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING | DR | Severe Storm | 1998-08-12 |
| 1236 | SEVERE STORMS,STRAIGH LINE WINDS, TORNADOES,RAIN,AND FLOODI | DR | Severe Storm | 1998-07-24 |
| 1180 | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING | DR | Severe Storm | 1997-07-07 |
| 1131 | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING AND TORNADOES | DR | Flood | 1996-08-02 |
| 994 | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES & FLOODING | DR | Severe Storm | 1993-07-02 |
| 964 | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING | DR | Flood | 1992-09-30 |
| 963 | SEVERE STORMS & TORNADOES | DR | Tornado | 1992-09-18 |
| 959 | SEVERE STORMS & TORNADOES | DR | Tornado | 1992-09-02 |
| 912 | SEVERE STORMS & HAIL | DR | Severe Storm | 1991-08-06 |
| 877 | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING | DR | Flood | 1990-08-30 |
| 874 | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES & FLOODING | DR | Severe Storm | 1990-07-13 |
| 775 | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING | DR | Flood | 1986-10-07 |
| 770 | SEVERE STORMS | DR | Flood | 1986-08-14 |
| 3091 | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING | EM | Flood | 1984-07-10 |
| 710 | SEVERE STORMS & TORNADOES | DR | Tornado | 1984-06-12 |
| 626 | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING | DR | Flood | 1980-07-24 |
| 2039 | SPOONER FIRE, WASHBURN CO. | FM | Fire | 1980-04-24 |
| 3069 | BLIZZARDS & SNOWSTORMS | EM | Snowstorm | 1979-01-19 |
| 559 | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, HAIL & TORNADOES | DR | Severe Storm | 1978-07-07 |
| 3048 | WINDS, HAIL & RAIN | EM | Severe Storm | 1977-10-03 |
| 3014 | DROUGHT | EM | Drought | 1976-06-17 |
| 496 | SEVERE STORMS, ICING, WIND & FLOODING | DR | Flood | 1976-03-23 |
| 482 | HEAVY RAINS, TORNADOES & FLASH FLOODS | DR | Severe Storm | 1975-09-15 |
Showing 50 of 56 declarations.
FEMA National Risk Index
Composite natural hazard risk scores for Wisconsin counties based on FEMA's National Risk Index.
Avg County Risk Score
59.1/100
High Risk Counties
1
of 72 counties
Top Hazard by EAL
Riverine Flooding
$1.1B annual loss est.
Top 5 Hazards by Expected Annual Loss
#1
Riverine Flooding
$1.1B EAL
#2
Cold Wave
$806.3M EAL
#3
Tornado
$307.5M EAL
#4
Hail
$133.8M EAL
#5
Heat Wave
$88.5M EAL
Source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI) EAL = Expected Annual Loss. Data: hazards.fema.gov/nri
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims
National Flood Insurance Program claims across Wisconsin from FEMA NFIP data.
Total Claims
9,388
Total Paid
$141.0M
Avg Per Claim
$15.0K
Counties With Claims
69
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) OpenFEMA Claims Data
Counties in Wisconsin
72 counties with FEMA disaster data. Declaration counts measure past federal action; NRI rating is FEMA's modeled composite, so a high count is not a high rating.
| # | County | Disasters | NRI rating | Major |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vernon County | 23 | Relatively Low | 20 |
| 2 | Milwaukee County | 22 | Relatively High | 17 |
| 3 | Crawford County | 22 | Relatively Low | 19 |
| 4 | Grant County | 20 | Relatively Low | 17 |
| 5 | Waukesha County | 19 | Relatively Moderate | 14 |
| 6 | Richland County | 19 | Relatively Low | 16 |
| 7 | Dane County | 19 | Relatively Moderate | 14 |
| 8 | La Crosse County | 18 | Relatively Low | 15 |
| 9 | Green County | 17 | Relatively Low | 12 |
| 10 | Racine County | 17 | Relatively Moderate | 12 |
| 11 | Iowa County | 17 | Very Low | 14 |
| 12 | Juneau County | 16 | Relatively Low | 13 |
| 13 | Buffalo County | 16 | Very Low | 13 |
| 14 | Rock County | 16 | Relatively Moderate | 11 |
| 15 | Kenosha County | 16 | Relatively Moderate | 11 |
| 16 | Monroe County | 15 | Relatively Low | 12 |
| 17 | Clark County | 15 | Relatively Low | 12 |
| 18 | Sauk County | 15 | Relatively Low | 12 |
| 19 | Trempealeau County | 15 | Relatively Low | 12 |
| 20 | Ashland County | 14 | Very Low | 11 |
| 21 | Lafayette County | 14 | Very Low | 11 |
| 22 | Jefferson County | 14 | Relatively Low | 10 |
| 23 | Washington County | 14 | Relatively Low | 10 |
| 24 | Jackson County | 14 | Relatively Low | 11 |
| 25 | Pierce County | 13 | Very Low | 10 |
| 26 | Wood County | 13 | Relatively Low | 10 |
| 27 | Dunn County | 13 | Relatively Low | 10 |
| 28 | Ozaukee County | 13 | Relatively Low | 10 |
| 29 | Dodge County | 13 | Relatively Low | 9 |
| 30 | Pepin County | 13 | Very Low | 10 |
| 31 | Walworth County | 13 | Relatively Low | 8 |
| 32 | Bayfield County | 12 | Very Low | 9 |
| 33 | Rusk County | 12 | Very Low | 8 |
| 34 | Adams County | 12 | Relatively Low | 9 |
| 35 | Portage County | 12 | Relatively Low | 9 |
| 36 | Fond du Lac County | 12 | Relatively Low | 9 |
| 37 | Marathon County | 12 | Relatively Moderate | 9 |
| 38 | Iron County | 12 | Very Low | 9 |
| 39 | Columbia County | 11 | Relatively Moderate | 7 |
| 40 | Sheboygan County | 11 | Relatively Low | 8 |
| 41 | St. Croix County | 11 | Relatively Low | 8 |
| 42 | Outagamie County | 11 | Relatively Low | 8 |
| 43 | Winnebago County | 11 | Relatively Moderate | 8 |
| 44 | Calumet County | 11 | Very Low | 8 |
| 45 | Waupaca County | 11 | Relatively Low | 8 |
| 46 | Chippewa County | 11 | Relatively Low | 8 |
| 47 | Barron County | 10 | Relatively Low | 6 |
| 48 | Douglas County | 10 | Relatively Low | 7 |
| 49 | Polk County | 10 | Relatively Low | 6 |
| 50 | Burnett County | 10 | Relatively Low | 6 |
| 51 | Washburn County | 10 | Very Low | 6 |
| 52 | Waushara County | 10 | Relatively Low | 7 |
| 53 | Brown County | 9 | Relatively Moderate | 6 |
| 54 | Green Lake County | 9 | Relatively Low | 6 |
| 55 | Marquette County | 9 | Relatively Low | 6 |
| 56 | Lincoln County | 9 | Relatively Low | 5 |
| 57 | Manitowoc County | 9 | Relatively Low | 6 |
| 58 | Eau Claire County | 9 | Relatively Low | 6 |
| 59 | Oneida County | 9 | Relatively Low | 4 |
| 60 | Sawyer County | 9 | Relatively Low | 5 |
| 61 | Price County | 8 | Very Low | 4 |
| 62 | Taylor County | 8 | Very Low | 5 |
| 63 | Shawano County | 8 | Relatively Low | 5 |
| 64 | Kewaunee County | 8 | Very Low | 4 |
| 65 | Langlade County | 8 | Relatively Low | 5 |
| 66 | Marinette County | 7 | Relatively Low | 4 |
| 67 | Menominee County | 7 | Very Low | 3 |
| 68 | Forest County | 7 | Relatively Low | 3 |
| 69 | Door County | 6 | Relatively Low | 2 |
| 70 | Florence County | 6 | Relatively Low | 3 |
| 71 | Vilas County | 6 | Relatively Low | 2 |
| 72 | Oconto County | 6 | Relatively Low | 3 |
Highest-risk counties by FEMA National Risk Index
Declaration counts above measure past federal action; FEMA's NRI is a composite of Expected Annual Loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience. By that separate measure the highest-risk counties in Wisconsin are Milwaukee (Relatively High), Dane (Relatively Moderate), Brown (Relatively Moderate), Waukesha (Relatively Moderate), Marathon (Relatively Moderate). Compare any county's recorded history with the Historical Activity tool.
All 72 counties in Wisconsin are listed above.
Compare beyond this profile
Nationwide states with similar NRI score & FEMA declaration volume
Two PlainHazard-derived comparison paths for Wisconsin: nearest states by average county National Risk Index composite and nearest FEMA declaration count (floor ≥5 records). Record similarity only, not a forecast of the next hazard.
Similar average NRI composite
Nearest states by mean county FEMA NRI score. Wisconsin: 59.1 across 72 scored counties.
Similar declaration volume
Nearest states by FEMA declaration count. Wisconsin: 56. NRI peers are excluded so the two link sets stay distinct.
Disaster Preparedness Guides
Learn more about natural disaster risk, preparedness, and data interpretation.
Preparing for Natural Disasters
Essential steps to prepare your household for the most common natural hazards.
Hazard Risk by Region
How natural disaster risk varies across different US regions.
Climate Change & Disasters
How climate trends are changing the frequency and severity of natural disasters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What natural disasters affect Wisconsin?
Wisconsin is affected by flood, severe storm, tornado, snowstorm. The most common disaster type is Flood, based on 56 FEMA disaster declarations on record.
How many FEMA disaster declarations has Wisconsin had?
Wisconsin has received 56 FEMA disaster declarations, including 47 major disaster declarations. The declaration history covers several disaster types, including Flood (21), Severe Storm (20), Tornado (6).
What severe weather events are most common in Wisconsin?
The most common severe weather events in Wisconsin include thunderstorm wind (3,504 events), hail (2,620 events), winter weather (1,939 events). Over that 2015-2025 NOAA record, these events resulted in 196 fatalities and $722.7M in property and crop damage.
How active is Wisconsin's federal disaster declaration record?
Wisconsin has a moderate level of historical federal declaration activity, based on 56 FEMA declaration records. This band is not a future-risk forecast. Separately, NOAA storm events from 2015-2025 record 196 fatalities and 431 injuries. NOAA-listed property and crop damage totals $722.7M.
How many flood insurance claims has Wisconsin had?
Wisconsin has 9,388 National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims with $141.0M total paid out. Claims average $15.0K, with 69 counties reporting flood insurance claims.
Which counties in Wisconsin have the most disaster declarations?
Among 72 counties in Wisconsin, those with the most FEMA declaration records include Vernon (23 declarations), Milwaukee (22 declarations), Crawford (22 declarations). Breaking the declarations down by county reveals patterns a statewide total can mask.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations, NOAA Storm Events Database (2015-2025) For informational purposes only
What this means for Wisconsin
Vernon alone accounts for 41% of Wisconsin's FEMA disaster declarations, out of 72 counties tracked statewide.
- The declaration record is uneven within the state: Vernon and Milwaukee carry the most FEMA declarations. Browse counties
- See how Wisconsin ranks against other states for disaster frequency and damage. State rankings
- Learn what FEMA declarations, NRI risk scores, and damage figures do and don't tell you. Disaster-data guide
Historical declaration counts and damage totals describe past federal response, not a forecast. For current threats, follow the National Weather Service and local officials; in an emergency call 911.
PlainHazard derives this presentation from FEMA's Disaster Declarations Summaries. Its county comparison covers 3,266 U.S. counties and county equivalents in this database, refreshed as of 2026-08-25. Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Verify with FEMA → · Verify with FEMA NRI → · Verify with NOAA →
Every figure on PlainHazard is rendered directly from FEMA federal disaster data, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or national statistics report, the data & editorial changelog, or report a data error.