Jackson County, Wisconsin Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WI
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 48th
Jackson County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 48.1, 48th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Jackson County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 48.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 48th 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.
Most of Jackson County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $27K in expected annual loss and about 0.33 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 7.95 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $563K in expected annual loss and about 3.33 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 21K.
Beyond physical exposure, Jackson 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 federal record bears this out: Jackson County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 6 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (flood), declared in June 2026.
Among 72 Wisconsin counties, Jackson County ranks #51 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.33 / yr | $27K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 7.95 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.33 / yr | $563K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.95 / yr | $834K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.75 / yr | $6M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.26 / yr | $369K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.39 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.29 / yr | $64K |
| Drought | Low | 4.07 / yr | $85K |
| Lightning | Low | 34.34 / yr | $145K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 17.11 / yr | $37K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Jackson County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding in June 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Flood (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud |
| October 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| October 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2001 | Flood | Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| June 2000 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Jackson County?
Jackson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 48.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 48th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Jackson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $27K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $3M EAL), Hail (Medium, $563K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Jackson County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Jackson County ranks #51 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Jackson County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Jackson County since 1976, most often 6 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in June 2026.
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. Jackson County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.