Forest County, Wisconsin Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WI
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 47th
Forest County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 47.4, 47th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Forest County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 47.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 47th 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 — $9M in expected annual loss and about 9.05 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $173K in expected annual loss and about 1.45 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Low risk — $128K in expected annual loss and about 27.98 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 9K.
Beyond physical exposure, Forest County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Forest County has received 7 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 2 for biological events and 2 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 72 Wisconsin counties, Forest County ranks #53 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 9.05 / yr | $9M |
| Hail | Low | 1.45 / yr | $173K |
| Lightning | Low | 27.98 / yr | $128K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 17.21 / yr | $35K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $220K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.56 / yr | $130K |
| Drought | Very Low | 1.39 / yr | $2K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.27 / yr | $42 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $9K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $653 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Forest County has received 7 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Severe Storm (2), Flood (1).
| 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 |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 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 Forest County?
Forest County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 47.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 47th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Forest County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $9M EAL), Hail (Low, $173K EAL), Lightning (Low, $128K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Forest County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Forest County ranks #53 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Forest County had?
FEMA records 7 federal disaster declarations for Forest County since 1976, most often 2 for biological events and 2 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. Forest County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.