Clark County, Wisconsin Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WI
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 68th
Clark County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 68.4, 68th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $18M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Clark County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 68.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 68th 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 — $6M in expected annual loss and about 8.68 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $787K in expected annual loss and about 2.83 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $692K in expected annual loss and about 2.46 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $18M in expected annual loss for a population of 35K.
Beyond physical exposure, Clark County has a very 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.
History supports the rating: Clark County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 5 for flood events and 5 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 72 Wisconsin counties, Clark County ranks #29 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 8.68 / yr | $6M |
| Hail | Medium | 2.83 / yr | $787K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.46 / yr | $692K |
| Lightning | Medium | 33.15 / yr | $340K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.45 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.82 / yr | $8M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.00 / yr | $347K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 16.74 / yr | $53K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.26 / yr | $66K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $641 |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.62 / yr | $7K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| 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
Clark County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (5), Severe Storm (5), Biological (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 |
| August 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| October 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| October 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2002 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| July 2002 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Clark County?
Clark County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 68.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 68th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Clark County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $6M EAL), Hail (Medium, $787K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $692K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clark County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Clark County ranks #29 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Clark County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Clark County since 1973, most often 5 for flood events and 5 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. Clark County's $18M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.