Price County, Wisconsin Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WI
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 32th
Price County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 32.3, 32th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Price County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 32.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 32nd 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.
Most of Price County's expected losses come from cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 8.79 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Low risk — $225K in expected annual loss and about 31.00 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Low risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.32 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 14K.
Beyond physical exposure, Price County has a medium 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Price County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 2 for biological events and 2 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 72 Wisconsin counties, Price County ranks #64 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Medium | 8.79 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | Low | 31.00 / yr | $225K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.32 / yr | $4M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.32 / yr | $574K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.23 / yr | $23K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.51 / yr | $212K |
| Drought | Very Low | 3.44 / yr | $9K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.21 / yr | $58K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.81 / yr | $42K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 19.74 / yr | $9K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.20 / yr | $24 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Price County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Severe Storm (2), Hurricane (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 2002 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| August 1999 | Flood | Wi-Flood-07/20/99 |
| July 1993 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| October 1977 | Severe Storm | Winds, Hail & Rain |
| June 1976 | Drought | Drought |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Price County?
Price County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 32.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 32th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Price County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $4M EAL), Lightning (Low, $225K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Price County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Price County ranks #64 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Price County had?
FEMA records 8 federal disaster declarations for Price County since 1976, most often 2 for biological events and 2 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. Price County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.