Adams County, Wisconsin Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WI
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 71th
Adams County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 70.9, 71th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $20M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Adams County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 70.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 71st national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Adams County's expected losses come from hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.22 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 6.79 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $773K in expected annual loss and about 3.10 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $20M in expected annual loss for a population of 21K.
Beyond physical exposure, Adams County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Adams County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 5 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 72 Wisconsin counties, Adams County ranks #23 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 3.22 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | High | 6.79 / yr | $5M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.10 / yr | $773K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.41 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.54 / yr | $10M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.00 / yr | $678K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $37K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $910 |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.12 / yr | $47K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 16.16 / yr | $36K |
| Drought | Low | 2.91 / yr | $47K |
| Lightning | Low | 33.48 / yr | $80K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $21K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Adams County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides |
| October 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2002 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2001 | Flood | Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| June 2000 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 12 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Adams County?
Adams County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 70.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 71th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Adams County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $5M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $773K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Adams County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Adams County ranks #23 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Adams County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Adams County since 1976, most often 5 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in April 2020.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Adams County's $20M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.