Natural Disaster Risk in Potosi

Natural Hazard Profile: Potosi, Wisconsin

Located in the interior eastern United States in Grant County, Potosi is a small community of about 2,467. 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 Potosi a community where hazard awareness has real practical value.

Potosi's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.3/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. 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. Secondary hazards include hail and wind.

Relative to other U.S. communities, Potosi'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 landslide and hail, as measured by FEMA across Grant County. While city-specific sub-county variation exists, these scores represent the best available federal risk estimate.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Potosi 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.