Washburn County
Wisconsin — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 33th
Washburn County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 32.8, 33th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Medium | 9.58 / yr | $5M |
| Lightning | Medium | 31.80 / yr | $499K |
| Hail | Low | 2.31 / yr | $260K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $25K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.23 / yr | $678K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.42 / yr | $153K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $4M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 18.21 / yr | $33K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.74 / yr | $284K |
| Drought | Very Low | 5.95 / yr | $20K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $21K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.31 / yr | $89 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Washburn County?
Washburn County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 32.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 33th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Washburn County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $5M EAL), Lightning (Medium, $499K EAL), Hail (Low, $260K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Washburn County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Washburn County ranks #63 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
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. Washburn County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.