St. Croix County, Wisconsin Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WI
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 64th
St. Croix County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 64.1, 64th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $36M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in St. Croix County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 64.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 64th 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 strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 3.95 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 5.31 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 0.43 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $36M in expected annual loss for a population of 93K.
Beyond physical exposure, St. Croix County has a very low 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). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: St. Croix County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1965, 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, St. Croix County ranks #33 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 3.95 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Medium | 5.31 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.43 / yr | $8M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 9.05 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | Medium | 34.86 / yr | $943K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.13 / yr | $8K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 17.11 / yr | $170K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.46 / yr | $16M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.16 / yr | $540K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $53K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.33 / yr | $62K |
| Drought | Very Low | 1.82 / yr | $152 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| 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
St. Croix County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (3), Biological (2), Tornado (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| August 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 2002 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| May 2001 | Flood | Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| July 1998 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms,Straigh Line Winds, Tornadoes,Rain,and Floodi |
| July 1993 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| June 1976 | Drought | Drought |
| May 1969 | Flood | Flooding |
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 St. Croix County?
St. Croix County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 64.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 64th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in St. Croix County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $4M EAL), Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $8M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does St. Croix County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
St. Croix County ranks #33 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has St. Croix County had?
FEMA records 11 federal disaster declarations for St. Croix County since 1965, 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. St. Croix County's $36M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.