Richland County, Wisconsin Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WI
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 52th
Richland County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 51.6, 52th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Richland County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 51.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 52nd 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.
Risk here concentrates in landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $150K in expected annual loss and about 0.80 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $913K in expected annual loss and about 3.59 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 6.37 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 17K.
Beyond physical exposure, Richland County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Richland County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 10 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 72 Wisconsin counties, Richland County ranks #46 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.80 / yr | $150K |
| Hail | Medium | 3.59 / yr | $913K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 6.37 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.74 / yr | $587K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.21 / yr | $8M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.32 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.33 / yr | $63K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.52 / yr | $403K |
| Drought | Low | 5.23 / yr | $36K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 15.95 / yr | $21K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 36.08 / yr | $63K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Richland County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides |
| October 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud |
| October 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| August 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Richland County?
Richland County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 51.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 52th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Richland County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $150K EAL), Hail (Medium, $913K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Richland County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Richland County ranks #46 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Richland County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Richland County since 1965, most often 10 for severe storm events and 4 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. Richland County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.