Sheboygan County, Wisconsin Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WI
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 70th
Sheboygan County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 70.2, 70th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $36M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Sheboygan County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 70.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 70th 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.
Most of Sheboygan County's expected losses come from hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 2.35 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 5.63 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.46 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $36M in expected annual loss for a population of 117K.
Beyond physical exposure, Sheboygan County has a very 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 federal record bears this out: Sheboygan County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 3 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 72 Wisconsin counties, Sheboygan County ranks #25 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 2.35 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 5.63 / yr | $7M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.46 / yr | $6M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.96 / yr | $18M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.11 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 16.00 / yr | $147K |
| Lightning | Medium | 31.51 / yr | $474K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.51 / yr | $664K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $1K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $104K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $15K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.20 / yr | $28K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $9K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Sheboygan County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (3), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| January 2001 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| August 1998 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| October 1986 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| March 1976 | Flood | Severe Storms, Icing, Wind & Flooding |
| April 1974 | Tornado | Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 11 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Sheboygan County?
Sheboygan County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 70.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 70th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Sheboygan County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $7M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $6M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Sheboygan County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Sheboygan County ranks #25 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Sheboygan County had?
FEMA records 11 federal disaster declarations for Sheboygan County since 1973, most often 3 for severe storm events and 3 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. Sheboygan County's $36M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.