Ashland County, Wisconsin Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WI
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 32th
Ashland County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 31.7, 32th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Ashland County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 31.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 32nd national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Ashland County's expected losses come from cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 8.99 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $158K in expected annual loss and about 31.34 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Low risk — $242K in expected annual loss and about 27.90 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 16K.
Beyond physical exposure, Ashland County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Ashland County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 5 for flood events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 72 Wisconsin counties, Ashland County ranks #65 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Medium | 8.99 / yr | $5M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 31.34 / yr | $158K |
| Lightning | Low | 27.90 / yr | $242K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.75 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.26 / yr | $72K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.05 / yr | $70K |
| Drought | Very Low | 3.47 / yr | $2K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.96 / yr | $125K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.19 / yr | $101K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $5K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.24 / yr | $25 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $164 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Ashland County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (5), Severe Storm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| August 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| August 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| August 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| August 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2001 | Flood | Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| June 2000 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 1999 | Flood | Wi-Flood-07/20/99 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Ashland County?
Ashland County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 31.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 32th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Ashland County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $5M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $158K EAL), Lightning (Low, $242K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Ashland County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Ashland County ranks #65 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Ashland County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Ashland County since 1965, most often 5 for flood events and 4 for severe storm 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. Ashland County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.