Eau Claire County
Wisconsin — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 78th
Eau Claire County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 78.3, 78th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $48M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 8.42 / yr | $13M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.29 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | High | 2.74 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.27 / yr | $5M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.64 / yr | $24M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.20 / yr | $13K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 15.68 / yr | $173K |
| Lightning | Medium | 34.09 / yr | $629K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.79 / yr | $987K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.48 / yr | $182K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $18K |
| Drought | Very Low | 3.00 / yr | $2K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| 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 Eau Claire County?
Eau Claire County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 78.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 78th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Eau Claire County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $13M EAL), Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Eau Claire County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Eau Claire County ranks #15 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a 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. Eau Claire County's $48M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.