Barron County, Wisconsin Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WI
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 69th
Barron County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 68.6, 69th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $26M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Barron County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 68.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 69th 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.
Risk here concentrates in cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 9.05 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.15 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 2.42 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $26M in expected annual loss for a population of 47K.
Beyond physical exposure, Barron County has a medium 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). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Barron County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 2 for biological events and 2 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 72 Wisconsin counties, Barron County ranks #28 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 9.05 / yr | $10M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.15 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.42 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.58 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.35 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Medium | 33.39 / yr | $423K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.29 / yr | $8M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 16.63 / yr | $75K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.32 / yr | $63K |
| Drought | Very Low | 3.09 / yr | $4K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $76 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | 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
Barron County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Flood (2), Tornado (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| August 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 2002 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| May 2001 | Flood | Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| June 2000 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| October 1977 | Severe Storm | Winds, Hail & Rain |
| June 1976 | Drought | Drought |
| April 1965 | Tornado | Tornadoes, Severe Storms & Flooding |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Barron County?
Barron County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 68.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 69th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Barron County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $10M EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Barron County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Barron County ranks #28 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Barron County had?
FEMA records 10 federal disaster declarations for Barron County since 1965, most often 2 for biological events and 2 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. Barron County's $26M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.