Langlade County, Wisconsin Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WI
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 50th
Langlade County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 49.6, 50th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Langlade County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 49.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 50th 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 Langlade County's expected losses come from cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 9.32 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $520K in expected annual loss and about 29.71 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $60K in expected annual loss and about 17.11 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 19K.
Beyond physical exposure, Langlade 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: Langlade County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 2 for biological events and 2 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 72 Wisconsin counties, Langlade County ranks #48 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 9.32 / yr | $8M |
| Lightning | Medium | 29.71 / yr | $520K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 17.11 / yr | $60K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.84 / yr | $461K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.27 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.21 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.83 / yr | $128K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.12 / yr | $36K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.53 / yr | $19K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.42 / yr | $39K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.23 / yr | $32 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Langlade County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Flood (2), Tornado (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 |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 2002 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| June 1976 | Drought | Drought |
| April 1973 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| April 1965 | Tornado | Tornadoes, Severe Storms & Flooding |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Langlade County?
Langlade County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 49.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 50th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Langlade County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $8M EAL), Lightning (Medium, $520K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $60K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Langlade County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Langlade County ranks #48 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Langlade County had?
FEMA records 8 federal disaster declarations for Langlade County since 1965, most often 2 for biological events and 2 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. Langlade County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.