Lincoln County

Wisconsin — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

52.6

National percentile: 53th

Lincoln County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 52.6, 53th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $19M.

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

Expected Annual Loss $19M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience High Capacity to recover
Population 28K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Cold Wave
High $8M/yr
Lightning
Medium $420K/yr
Winter Weather
Medium $112K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Cold Wave High 9.37 / yr $8M
Lightning Medium 30.78 / yr $420K
Winter Weather Medium 16.74 / yr $112K
Riverine Flood Low 0.32 / yr $9M
Hail Low 1.84 / yr $238K
Tornado Low 0.27 / yr $1M
Strong Wind Low 1.72 / yr $441K
Ice Storm Low 0.15 / yr $38K
Drought Very Low 2.80 / yr $30K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $15K
Heat Wave Very Low 0.53 / yr $60K
Landslide Very Low 0.18 / yr $35
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Lincoln County?

Lincoln County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 52.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 53th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Lincoln County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $8M EAL), Lightning (Medium, $420K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $112K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Lincoln County compare to other Wisconsin counties?

Lincoln County ranks #45 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low 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. Lincoln County's $19M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.