Natural Disaster Risk in Manitowish Waters
Wisconsin
Risk Summary for Manitowish Waters
Manitowish Waters scores 5.0/10 (Moderate risk), near 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
Average risk — standard coverage usually sufficient
This area carries average natural disaster risk. A standard homeowners or renters policy should cover common events, but review the exclusions for floods and earthquakes, which are almost never included by default.
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin
Manitowish Waters is a small community of about 947 in Vilas County, in the northern tier of the continental 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 Manitowish Waters.
FEMA rates Manitowish Waters's composite natural disaster risk at 5.0 out of 10 — moderate risk. 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. Residents should also account for wind and winter risk in their preparedness planning.
Manitowish Waters's risk score, slightly below the 5.4/10 state average and near the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Vilas County, the highest-scoring are cold wave, wind, and winter. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.
Manitowish Waters's moderate risk profile means that while catastrophic events are less frequent, they do occur. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers many common hazards here, but confirming that cold wave exposure is adequately protected is a worthwhile step for property owners.
What this means for Manitowish Waters: Cold Wave preparedness
- 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.
- Dress in layers and limit exposure during extreme cold to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.
Local Factors for Manitowish Waters
These city-level factors differentiate Manitowish Waters from other communities in Vilas County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
947
RuralGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Cool Continental
Latitude 46.1°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Lower — moist climate limits wildfire frequency
Fire score: 3.2/10
Coordinates
46.1326° N, 89.8521° W
Vilas 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 Manitowish Waters
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Manitowish Waters
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.