Sawyer County
Wisconsin — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 74th
Sawyer County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 74.5, 74th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and winter weather 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 | 9.05 / yr | $15M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 18.84 / yr | $120K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.47 / yr | $603K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.39 / yr | $7M |
| Lightning | Medium | 31.21 / yr | $218K |
| Hail | Low | 1.90 / yr | $182K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.23 / yr | $34K |
| Drought | Low | 4.02 / yr | $26K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.37 / yr | $114K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.31 / yr | $367K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $61 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $598 |
| 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 Sawyer County?
Sawyer County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 74.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 74th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Sawyer County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $15M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $120K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $603K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Sawyer County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Sawyer County ranks #21 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. Sawyer County's $23M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.