Natural Disaster Risk in Onalaska

Natural Hazard Profile: Onalaska, Wisconsin

Onalaska, in La Crosse County, is a city of approximately 25,304 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 Onalaska residents and property owners must navigate.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Onalaska carries an overall risk score of 6.1/10, placing it in the high category. Arctic air outbreaks are the leading natural hazard, with temperature plunges to dangerous lows capable of causing hypothermia and widespread infrastructure failures. The area also faces notable exposure to hail and landslide.

Within Wisconsin, Onalaska'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.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Onalaska 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.