Natural Disaster Risk in La Crosse
Wisconsin
Risk Summary for La Crosse
La Crosse scores 6.1/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Cold Wave.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Above-average risk — check your policy limits
Standard homeowners insurance may not fully cover all hazards rated highly in this area. Verify that your policy includes adequate coverage for the top local hazards, and ask your insurer about specific endorsements or separate policies (e.g., flood, earthquake).
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: La Crosse, Wisconsin
La Crosse, in La Crosse County, is a city of 50,397 residents situated in the interior eastern United States. Its humid continental climate brings long, cold winters with lake-effect snow and warm summers, and in particular severe blizzards and spring tornado outbreaks. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that La Crosse residents and property owners must navigate.
La Crosse's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.1/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Cold wave events are the primary hazard risk, driven by periodic invasions of Arctic air that drive wind chills to life-threatening levels and stress heating systems. Secondary hazards include hail and landslide.
Within Wisconsin, La Crosse's risk is, slightly above the 5.4/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of La Crosse County identifies cold wave as the foremost hazard, followed by hail and landslide. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
La Crosse's high risk designation reflects meaningful exposure to natural hazards. Residents should verify that their insurance covers the area's primary risks, prepare a family emergency plan, and stay informed about seasonal hazard peaks through local weather and emergency management services.
What this means for La Crosse: Cold Wave preparedness
- Dress in layers and limit exposure during extreme cold to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.
- Protect pipes, pets, and plants, and ensure heating systems are serviced before winter.
- Keep emergency heat and supplies ready in case of cold-related power outages.
Local Factors for La Crosse
These city-level factors differentiate La Crosse from other communities in La Crosse County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
50,397
UrbanGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Cool Continental
Latitude 43.8°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Lower — moist climate limits wildfire frequency
Fire score: 2.3/10
Coordinates
43.8020° N, 91.1456° W
La Crosse County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for La Crosse
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in La Crosse
Other cities in Wisconsin
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.