Natural Disasters in Wisconsin: History & Risk Data
48,968 recorded disaster events across 760 ZIP codes.
State Statistics
Event Timeline
Hazard Breakdown
Most Affected ZIP Codes in Wisconsin
📊 Wisconsin Disaster Profile
Wisconsin has experienced 48,968 documented natural disaster events across its 760 ZIP codes. The cumulative documented property damage stands at $29.1B. A total of 3,988 fatalities have been attributed to natural disasters in the state.
⚠️ Hazard Distribution
Hailstorms lead Wisconsin's disaster profile with 26,928 events (55%), causing $5.5B in property damage. Other significant hazards include floods (7,185 events, $16.5B in damages), tornadoes (5,607 events, $5.3B in damages), and blizzards (4,170 events, $309.2M in damages). Wisconsin has no recorded hurricanes and earthquakes in the dataset.
📍 Geographic Impact
The most disaster-affected areas in Wisconsin include ZIP 53711 (219 events, $211.4M in damages), ZIP 53538 (195 events, $190.4M in damages), and ZIP 54601 (194 events, $142.2M in damages).
📈 Trends Over Time
Disaster frequency in Wisconsin has increased markedly over time. The average annual event count in recent decades is roughly 526% higher than in earlier periods of the record. The year 2011 stands out as particularly active, with 2,499 events recorded — likely driven by a major weather system or disaster season.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions — Wisconsin
What natural disasters occur in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin has experienced 48,968 documented natural disaster events. The hazard types recorded include hailstorms (26,928), floods (7,185), tornadoes (5,607), blizzards (4,170), severe wind events (2,942), extreme cold events (1,393), extreme heat events (675), and wildfires (68). The most common hazard is hailstorms, accounting for 55% of all events.
What are the most disaster-prone areas in Wisconsin?
Based on historical records, the most disaster-affected ZIP codes in Wisconsin are ZIP 53711 (219 events), ZIP 53538 (195 events), ZIP 54601 (194 events), ZIP 53597 (190 events), and ZIP 53207 (189 events). These areas have the highest concentration of recorded natural disaster events in the state.
How much damage have natural disasters caused in Wisconsin?
Natural disasters have caused a documented $29.1B in property damage across Wisconsin. This total is based on records from FEMA, NOAA, and USGS, covering events from the 1950s onward. The actual figure is likely higher, as not all events have complete damage records.
About This Data
State-level data aggregated from FEMA (disaster declarations, NFIP flood claims), NOAA Storm Events Database, USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, and NIFC wildfire records. Historical coverage varies by source, with most records beginning in the 1950s–1970s. Full methodology →