Burnett County, Wisconsin Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WI
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 49th
Burnett County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 49.3, 49th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Burnett County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 49.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 49th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 10.05 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $501K in expected annual loss and about 31.91 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $464K in expected annual loss and about 3.18 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 17K.
Beyond physical exposure, Burnett County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Burnett County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 3 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 72 Wisconsin counties, Burnett County ranks #49 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Medium | 10.05 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Medium | 31.91 / yr | $501K |
| Hail | Low | 3.18 / yr | $464K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $119K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.26 / yr | $506K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.29 / yr | $6M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.29 / yr | $814K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 18.16 / yr | $36K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.63 / yr | $156K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.31 / yr | $36K |
| Drought | Very Low | 6.65 / yr | $6K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.19 / yr | $54 |
| 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 |
Disaster History
Burnett County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (3), Biological (2), Flood (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 |
| 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 |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Burnett County?
Burnett County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 49.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 49th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Burnett County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $3M EAL), Lightning (Medium, $501K EAL), Hail (Low, $464K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Burnett County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Burnett County ranks #49 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Burnett County had?
FEMA records 10 federal disaster declarations for Burnett County since 1976, most often 3 for severe storm events and 2 for biological 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. Burnett County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.