Natural Disaster Risk in Green Bay

Natural Hazard Profile: Green Bay, Wisconsin

Located in the interior eastern United States in Brown County, Green Bay is a city of approximately 41,422 residents. The humid continental climate that characterizes this part of Wisconsin — marked by long, cold winters with lake-effect snow and warm summers — directly influences the types and severity of natural hazards present, making Green Bay a community where hazard awareness has real practical value.

Green Bay's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.5/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Extreme cold snaps top the local risk profile, with Arctic front passages causing rapid and severe temperature drops that challenge both infrastructure and outdoor safety. Secondary hazards include hail and lightning.

Relative to other U.S. communities, Green Bay's natural disaster risk is above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10, slightly above the 5.4/10 state average. The hazard distribution here is led by cold wave and hail, as measured by FEMA across Brown County. While city-specific sub-county variation exists, these scores represent the best available federal risk estimate.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Green Bay residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for cold wave 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.