Racine County, Wisconsin Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WI
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 85th
Racine County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 85.4, 85th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $64M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Racine County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 85.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 85th national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Racine County's expected losses come from cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $15M in expected annual loss and about 4.89 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $11M in expected annual loss and about 0.31 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 3.40 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $64M in expected annual loss for a population of 198K.
Beyond physical exposure, Racine County has a 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Racine County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 6 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (flood), declared in June 2026.
Among 72 Wisconsin counties, Racine County ranks #8 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 4.89 / yr | $15M |
| Tornado | High | 0.31 / yr | $11M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.40 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | High | 3.94 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.64 / yr | $30M |
| Lightning | High | 35.44 / yr | $957K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 3.21 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 15.63 / yr | $185K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $548K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.59 / yr | $85K |
| Drought | Low | 4.18 / yr | $133K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $478 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $16K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Racine County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding in June 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Flood (4), Snowstorm (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2020 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| April 2011 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2008 | Snowstorm | Record Snow and Near Record Snow |
| August 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Racine County?
Racine County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 85.4 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 85th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Racine County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $15M EAL), Tornado (High, $11M EAL), Hail (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Racine County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Racine County ranks #8 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Racine County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Racine County since 1969, most often 6 for severe storm events and 4 for flood 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. Racine County's $64M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.