Juneau County, Wisconsin Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WI
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 71th
Juneau County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 70.8, 71th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $24M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Juneau County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 70.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 71st 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 heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 3.05 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.23 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 6.79 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $24M in expected annual loss for a population of 27K.
Beyond physical exposure, Juneau 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.
History supports the rating: Juneau County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 7 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (flood), declared in June 2026.
Among 72 Wisconsin counties, Juneau County ranks #24 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | Medium | 3.05 / yr | $5M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.23 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 6.79 / yr | $4M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.18 / yr | $14K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.14 / yr | $11M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.39 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.02 / yr | $512K |
| Lightning | Low | 34.28 / yr | $218K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $32K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 16.26 / yr | $39K |
| Drought | Low | 3.40 / yr | $32K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $20K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $24K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| 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
Juneau County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding in June 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Flood (5), 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 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides |
| October 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| October 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2001 | Flood | Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Juneau County?
Juneau County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 70.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 71th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Juneau County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Medium, $5M EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Juneau County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Juneau County ranks #24 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Juneau County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Juneau County since 1976, most often 7 for severe storm events and 5 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. Juneau County's $24M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.