Sawyer County, Wisconsin Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WI
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 74th
Sawyer County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 74.5, 74th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $23M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Sawyer County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 74.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 74th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $15M in expected annual loss and about 9.05 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $120K in expected annual loss and about 18.84 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $603K in expected annual loss and about 1.47 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $23M in expected annual loss for a population of 18K.
Beyond physical exposure, Sawyer County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Sawyer County has received 9 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 3 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 72 Wisconsin counties, Sawyer County ranks #21 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 9.05 / yr | $15M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 18.84 / yr | $120K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.47 / yr | $603K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.39 / yr | $7M |
| Lightning | Medium | 31.21 / yr | $218K |
| Hail | Low | 1.90 / yr | $182K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.23 / yr | $34K |
| Drought | Low | 4.02 / yr | $26K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.37 / yr | $114K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.31 / yr | $367K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $61 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $598 |
| 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
Sawyer County has received 9 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (3), Biological (2), Hurricane (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| August 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 2002 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| June 2000 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 1999 | Flood | Wi-Flood-07/20/99 |
| 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 Sawyer County?
Sawyer County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 74.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 74th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Sawyer County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $15M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $120K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $603K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Sawyer County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Sawyer County ranks #21 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Sawyer County had?
FEMA records 9 federal disaster declarations for Sawyer County since 1976, most often 3 for severe storm events and 2 for biological 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. Sawyer County's $23M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.