Polk County
Wisconsin — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 63th
Polk County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 63.3, 63th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $23M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 9.47 / yr | $7M |
| Strong Wind | High | 3.21 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 4.47 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.44 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Medium | 33.37 / yr | $513K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.00 / yr | $571K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 17.05 / yr | $79K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.36 / yr | $8M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.34 / yr | $62K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $29K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.25 / yr | $17K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $107 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| 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 Polk County?
Polk County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 63.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 63th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Polk County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $7M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Hail (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Polk County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Polk County ranks #34 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. Polk County's $23M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.