Kenosha County

Wisconsin — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Medium

Composite Risk Score

85.0

National percentile: 85th

Kenosha County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 85.0, 85th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $64M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $64M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very High Capacity to recover
Population 169K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Cold Wave
High $25M/yr
Lightning
High $2M/yr
Tornado
High $10M/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Cold Wave High 4.89 / yr $25M
Lightning High 35.18 / yr $2M
Tornado High 0.32 / yr $10M
Strong Wind High 4.94 / yr $3M
Hail Medium 3.85 / yr $2M
Heat Wave Medium 3.21 / yr $2M
Riverine Flood Medium 2.00 / yr $20M
Earthquake Low 0.00 / yr $565K
Drought Low 6.54 / yr $107K
Ice Storm Low 0.52 / yr $64K
Coastal Flood Very Low 0.01 / yr $6K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $15K
Landslide Very Low 0.04 / yr $261
Winter Weather Low 15.63 / yr $28K
Hurricane Very Low 0.01 / yr $6K
Avalanche Very Low 0.00 / yr $0
Tsunami Very Low 0.00 / yr $0
Volcanic Activity Very Low 0.00 / yr $0

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Kenosha County?

Kenosha County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 85.0 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 85th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Kenosha County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $25M EAL), Lightning (High, $2M EAL), Tornado (High, $10M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Kenosha County compare to other Wisconsin counties?

Kenosha County ranks #9 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.

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. Kenosha County's $64M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.