Grant County, Wisconsin Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WI
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 61th
Grant County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 61.1, 61th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $21M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Grant County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 61.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 61st 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $140K in expected annual loss and about 1.20 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 3.54 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 4.31 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $21M in expected annual loss for a population of 51K.
Beyond physical exposure, Grant County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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: Grant County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 10 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 72 Wisconsin counties, Grant County ranks #41 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.20 / yr | $140K |
| Hail | Medium | 3.54 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.31 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 6.26 / yr | $4M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.78 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Medium | 37.89 / yr | $567K |
| Drought | Medium | 7.44 / yr | $366K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.26 / yr | $628K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.64 / yr | $9M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.39 / yr | $93K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 16.37 / yr | $61K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $70K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Grant County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud |
| August 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| April 2011 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| August 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Grant County?
Grant County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 61.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 61th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Grant County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $140K EAL), Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Grant County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Grant County ranks #41 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Grant County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Grant County since 1965, most often 10 for severe storm events and 4 for flood 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. Grant County's $21M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.