Pierce County, Wisconsin Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WI
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 42th
Pierce County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 42.3, 42th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $19M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Pierce County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 42.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 42nd 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.
Risk here concentrates in strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 4.24 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $27K in expected annual loss and about 0.27 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 5.60 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $19M in expected annual loss for a population of 42K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pierce County has a very low 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Pierce County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 4 for flood events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 72 Wisconsin counties, Pierce County ranks #58 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.24 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.27 / yr | $27K |
| Hail | Medium | 5.60 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.39 / yr | $4M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 8.63 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.46 / yr | $9M |
| Lightning | Low | 36.41 / yr | $292K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 16.63 / yr | $74K |
| Drought | Low | 3.81 / yr | $68K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.63 / yr | $256K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.34 / yr | $29K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| 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 |
Disaster History
Pierce County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (4), Severe Storm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2001 | Flood | Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| July 1998 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms,Straigh Line Winds, Tornadoes,Rain,and Floodi |
| July 1993 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| September 1992 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| July 1980 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| July 1978 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Hail & Tornadoes |
| June 1976 | Drought | Drought |
Showing the 10 most recent of 13 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Pierce County?
Pierce County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 42.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 42th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pierce County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $2M EAL), Landslide (Low, $27K EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pierce County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Pierce County ranks #58 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pierce County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Pierce County since 1965, most often 4 for flood events and 4 for severe storm 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. Pierce County's $19M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.