Oconto County

Wisconsin — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

61.5

National percentile: 61th

Oconto County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 61.5, 61th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $22M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $22M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very High Capacity to recover
Population 39K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Cold Wave
Medium $6M/yr
Lightning
High $1M/yr
Hail
Medium $665K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Cold Wave Medium 6.01 / yr $6M
Lightning High 29.89 / yr $1M
Hail Medium 1.69 / yr $665K
Riverine Flood Low 1.00 / yr $13M
Landslide Low 0.20 / yr $3K
Tornado Low 0.31 / yr $2M
Strong Wind Medium 1.81 / yr $595K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $24K
Winter Weather Low 15.92 / yr $43K
Coastal Flood Very Low 0.01 / yr $13K
Ice Storm Low 0.17 / yr $37K
Heat Wave Very Low 0.83 / yr $122K
Drought Very Low 0.32 / yr $59
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $13K
Avalanche 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 Oconto County?

Oconto County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 61.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 61th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Oconto County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $6M EAL), Lightning (High, $1M EAL), Hail (Medium, $665K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Oconto County compare to other Wisconsin counties?

Oconto County ranks #40 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. Oconto County's $22M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.