Buffalo County
Wisconsin — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 15th
Buffalo County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 14.5, 15th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.75 / yr | $80K |
| Hail | Low | 4.16 / yr | $484K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 7.79 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Low | 4.23 / yr | $85K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.56 / yr | $63K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.35 / yr | $869K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.42 / yr | $160K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.36 / yr | $329K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.00 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Low | 36.35 / yr | $100K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 16.79 / yr | $25K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Buffalo County?
Buffalo County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 14.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 15th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Buffalo County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $80K EAL), Hail (Low, $484K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Buffalo County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Buffalo County ranks #69 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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. Buffalo County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.