Taylor County, Wisconsin Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WI
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 37th
Taylor County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 37.2, 37th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Taylor County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 37.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 37th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 8.74 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $519K in expected annual loss and about 32.30 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $244K in expected annual loss and about 2.25 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 20K.
Beyond physical exposure, Taylor County has a medium 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Taylor County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 2 for biological events and 2 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 72 Wisconsin counties, Taylor County ranks #60 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Medium | 8.74 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | Medium | 32.30 / yr | $519K |
| Hail | Low | 2.25 / yr | $244K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.32 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.19 / yr | $65K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.36 / yr | $5M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 16.89 / yr | $35K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.47 / yr | $140K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.93 / yr | $277K |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.31 / yr | $3K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $17 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Taylor County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Severe Storm (2), Hurricane (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2002 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| May 2001 | Flood | Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| June 1976 | Drought | Drought |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Taylor County?
Taylor County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 37.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 37th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Taylor County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $4M EAL), Lightning (Medium, $519K EAL), Hail (Low, $244K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Taylor County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Taylor County ranks #60 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Taylor County had?
FEMA records 8 federal disaster declarations for Taylor County since 1976, most often 2 for biological events and 2 for severe storm 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. Taylor County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.