Outagamie County, Wisconsin Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WI
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 80th
Outagamie County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 79.7, 80th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $59M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Outagamie County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 79.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 80th 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 Outagamie County's expected losses come from cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $18M in expected annual loss and about 5.74 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 2.24 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 31.69 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $59M in expected annual loss for a population of 191K.
Beyond physical exposure, Outagamie 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.
The federal record bears this out: Outagamie County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 4 for flood events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (flood), declared in June 2026.
Among 72 Wisconsin counties, Outagamie County ranks #13 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 5.74 / yr | $18M |
| Hail | Medium | 2.24 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | High | 31.69 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.31 / yr | $8M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 15.42 / yr | $270K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.64 / yr | $25M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.53 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.39 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.23 / yr | $189K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $729 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $99K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $17K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $7K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Outagamie County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding in June 2026. Most frequent causes: Flood (4), Severe Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2001 | Flood | Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| July 1993 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| July 1990 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| June 1976 | Drought | Drought |
Showing the 10 most recent of 11 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Outagamie County?
Outagamie County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 79.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 80th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Outagamie County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $18M EAL), Hail (Medium, $3M EAL), Lightning (High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Outagamie County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Outagamie County ranks #13 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Outagamie County had?
FEMA records 11 federal disaster declarations for Outagamie County since 1973, most often 4 for flood events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in June 2026.
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. Outagamie County's $59M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.