Menominee County, Wisconsin Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WI
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 9th
Menominee County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 9.1, 9th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Menominee County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 9.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 9th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. 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 lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $395K in expected annual loss and about 30.29 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 6.84 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Very Low risk — $50K in expected annual loss and about 2.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 4K.
Beyond physical exposure, Menominee County has a very 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.
The federal record bears this out: Menominee County has received 7 federal disaster declarations since 1976, 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, Menominee County ranks #71 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | Medium | 30.29 / yr | $395K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 6.84 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.01 / yr | $50K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $171K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.05 / yr | $109K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.19 / yr | $7K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.16 / yr | $22K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 15.26 / yr | $4K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $667K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $5 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $709 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $731 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | 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
Menominee County has received 7 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Flood (2), Hurricane (1).
| 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 |
| July 1993 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| July 1984 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| June 1976 | Drought | Drought |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Menominee County?
Menominee County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 9.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 9th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Menominee County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (Medium, $395K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $1M EAL), Hail (Very Low, $50K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Menominee County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Menominee County ranks #71 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Menominee County had?
FEMA records 7 federal disaster declarations for Menominee County since 1976, 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. Menominee County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.