Adams County
Wisconsin — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
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
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 |
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.
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.