Columbia County
Wisconsin — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 81th
Columbia County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 81.4, 81th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $51M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Very High | 3.64 / yr | $21M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 5.95 / yr | $5M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 2.79 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.58 / yr | $4M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.96 / yr | $19M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.16 / yr | $9K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.82 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 15.53 / yr | $77K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $34K |
| Drought | Low | 2.46 / yr | $67K |
| Lightning | Low | 35.52 / yr | $165K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.43 / yr | $50K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $74K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | 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 Columbia County?
Columbia County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 81.4 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 81th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Columbia County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Very High, $21M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $5M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Columbia County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Columbia County ranks #10 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Columbia County's $51M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.