Wood County, Wisconsin Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WI
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 76th
Wood County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 75.9, 76th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $39M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Wood County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 75.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 76th 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 cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $12M in expected annual loss and about 8.37 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 2.73 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.36 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $39M in expected annual loss for a population of 74K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wood County has a 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Wood County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 4 for flood events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 72 Wisconsin counties, Wood County ranks #17 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 8.37 / yr | $12M |
| Hail | Medium | 2.73 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.36 / yr | $4M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.71 / yr | $20M |
| Lightning | Medium | 32.95 / yr | $461K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 15.26 / yr | $82K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.42 / yr | $406K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $48K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.20 / yr | $74K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.64 / yr | $391K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $300 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $36K |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.61 / yr | $479 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Wood County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (4), Severe Storm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| August 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| July 2002 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2001 | Flood | Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| July 1993 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 13 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wood County?
Wood County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 75.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 76th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wood County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $12M EAL), Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wood County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Wood County ranks #17 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wood County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Wood County since 1969, most often 4 for flood events and 4 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. Wood County's $39M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.