Natural Disaster Risk in Bloomington

Natural Hazard Profile: Bloomington, Wisconsin

Bloomington is a small community of about 1,275 in Grant 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 Bloomington.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Bloomington carries an overall risk score of 6.3/10, placing it in the high category. Slope instability and debris flows are the primary natural hazard, driven by a combination of local geology, precipitation intensity, and terrain that creates susceptibility to failure. The area also faces notable exposure to hail and wind.

Bloomington'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 Grant County, the highest-scoring are landslide, hail, and wind. 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, Bloomington residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for landslide 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.