Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WI
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 76th
Fond du Lac County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 76.3, 76th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $44M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Fond du Lac County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 76.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 76th 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 3.28 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 5.84 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 0.51 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $44M in expected annual loss for a population of 104K.
Beyond physical exposure, Fond du Lac 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Fond du Lac County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 4 for flood events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 72 Wisconsin counties, Fond du Lac County ranks #16 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 3.28 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | High | 5.84 / yr | $10M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.51 / yr | $8M |
| Strong Wind | High | 3.35 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.64 / yr | $19M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.53 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 15.05 / yr | $150K |
| Lightning | Medium | 34.30 / yr | $449K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $2K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $61K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $138K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.24 / yr | $38K |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $11K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8K |
| 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
Fond du Lac County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (4), Severe Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| August 1996 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes |
| July 1993 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| October 1986 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| June 1976 | Drought | Drought |
Showing the 10 most recent of 12 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Fond du Lac County?
Fond du Lac County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 76.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 76th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Fond du Lac County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $3M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $10M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $8M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Fond du Lac County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Fond du Lac County ranks #16 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Fond du Lac County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Fond du Lac County since 1974, most often 4 for flood events and 3 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. Fond du Lac County's $44M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.