La Crosse County, Wisconsin Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WI
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 81th
La Crosse County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 80.5, 81th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $54M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates La Crosse County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 80.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 81st 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $19M in expected annual loss and about 6.95 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 3.58 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $101K in expected annual loss and about 0.46 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $54M in expected annual loss for a population of 121K.
Beyond physical exposure, La Crosse County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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.
History supports the rating: La Crosse County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 7 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 72 Wisconsin counties, La Crosse County ranks #11 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 6.95 / yr | $19M |
| Hail | High | 3.58 / yr | $4M |
| Landslide | Medium | 0.46 / yr | $101K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 3.68 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.20 / yr | $6M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.98 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.32 / yr | $19M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 16.26 / yr | $150K |
| Lightning | Low | 35.85 / yr | $349K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.13 / yr | $74K |
| Drought | Very Low | 4.83 / yr | $21K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $44K |
| Wildfire | 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
La Crosse County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Flood (6), Biological (2).
| 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 |
| October 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides |
| October 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud |
| October 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| 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 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for La Crosse County?
La Crosse County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 80.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 81th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in La Crosse County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $19M EAL), Hail (High, $4M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $101K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does La Crosse County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
La Crosse County ranks #11 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has La Crosse County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for La Crosse County since 1965, most often 7 for severe storm events and 6 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. La Crosse County's $54M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.