Dodge County, Wisconsin Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WI
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 70th
Dodge County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 69.9, 70th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $34M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Dodge County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 69.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 70th 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 3.53 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 5.68 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.65 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $34M in expected annual loss for a population of 89K.
Beyond physical exposure, Dodge County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Dodge County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 4 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, Dodge County ranks #26 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 3.53 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 5.68 / yr | $7M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.65 / yr | $6M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.78 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.95 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.93 / yr | $14M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 15.58 / yr | $122K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.16 / yr | $4K |
| Lightning | Medium | 34.87 / yr | $391K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $49K |
| Drought | Low | 0.83 / yr | $132K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.47 / yr | $70K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $150K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| 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 |
Disaster History
Dodge County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (4), Biological (2), Snowstorm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2011 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2008 | Snowstorm | Record Snow and Near Record Snow |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2000 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 1993 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| October 1986 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 13 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Dodge County?
Dodge County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 69.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 70th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Dodge County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $3M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $7M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $6M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Dodge County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Dodge County ranks #26 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Dodge County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Dodge County since 1974, most often 4 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. Dodge County's $34M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.