Vernon County, Wisconsin Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WI
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 75th
Vernon County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 75.0, 75th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $25M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Vernon County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 75.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 75th 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 High risk — $992K in expected annual loss and about 1.17 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 6.79 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.57 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $25M in expected annual loss for a population of 31K.
Beyond physical exposure, Vernon 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.
History supports the rating: Vernon County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 10 for severe storm events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (flood), declared in June 2026.
Among 72 Wisconsin counties, Vernon County ranks #19 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | High | 1.17 / yr | $992K |
| Cold Wave | High | 6.79 / yr | $10M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.57 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.18 / yr | $843K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.61 / yr | $10M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.38 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.63 / yr | $587K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.19 / yr | $59K |
| Drought | Low | 5.05 / yr | $69K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 16.32 / yr | $28K |
| Lightning | Low | 36.37 / yr | $90K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| 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
Vernon County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding in June 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (8), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| August 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Vernon County?
Vernon County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 75.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 75th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Vernon County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (High, $992K EAL), Cold Wave (High, $10M EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Vernon County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Vernon County ranks #19 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Vernon County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Vernon County since 1965, most often 10 for severe storm events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in June 2026.
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. Vernon County's $25M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.