Bayfield County, Wisconsin Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WI
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 35th
Bayfield County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 35.1, 35th 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
Overall natural disaster risk in Bayfield County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 35.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 35th 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.
Risk here concentrates in cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 9.47 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $223K in expected annual loss and about 29.73 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $675K in expected annual loss and about 0.93 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 16K.
Beyond physical exposure, Bayfield 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: Bayfield County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 5 for flood events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (flood), declared in June 2026.
Among 72 Wisconsin counties, Bayfield County ranks #61 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Medium | 9.47 / yr | $5M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 29.73 / yr | $223K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 0.93 / yr | $675K |
| Lightning | Medium | 27.26 / yr | $297K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.64 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.05 / yr | $121K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.31 / yr | $95K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.60 / yr | $183 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Drought | Very Low | 6.01 / yr | $5K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $133K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $8K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Earthquake | 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
Bayfield County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding in June 2026. Most frequent causes: Flood (5), Severe Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| August 1999 | Flood | Wi-Flood-07/20/99 |
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 Bayfield County?
Bayfield County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 35.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 35th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Bayfield County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $5M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $223K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $675K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bayfield County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Bayfield County ranks #61 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Bayfield County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Bayfield County since 1972, most often 5 for flood events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in June 2026.
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. Bayfield County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.