Natural Disaster Risk in Arlington

Natural Hazard Profile: Arlington, Wisconsin

Arlington is a small community of about 1,450 in Columbia County, in the interior eastern United States. The area experiences long, cold winters with lake-effect snow and warm summers, with severe blizzards and spring tornado outbreaks shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Arlington.

FEMA rates Arlington's composite natural disaster risk at 6.0 out of 10 — high risk. Hailstorm risk tops the local hazard profile, driven by frequent severe thunderstorm development that produces some of the most property-damaging hail in the country. Residents should also account for cold wave and heat risk in their preparedness planning.

Arlington's risk score, slightly above the 5.4/10 state average and above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Columbia County, the highest-scoring are hail, cold wave, and heat. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Arlington residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for hail and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.