Natural Disaster Risk in Rock County

Natural Hazard Profile: Rock County, Wisconsin

Rock County is located in the United States in Wisconsin, home to roughly 163,608 residents. The county experiences long, cold winters with lake-effect snow and warm summers, with severe blizzards and spring tornado outbreaks shaping the natural hazards faced by its communities. FEMA assesses risk at this county level, providing the baseline for every city and ZIP code within its boundaries.

FEMA rates Rock County's composite natural disaster risk at 6.7 out of 10 — high risk. Hailstorm risk tops the local hazard profile, driven by frequent severe thunderstorm development that produces some of the most property-damaging hail in the country. Residents should also account for cold wave and tornado risk in their preparedness planning.

Rock County's risk score, slightly above the 5.4/10 state average and well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Rock County, the highest-scoring are hail, cold wave, and tornado. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Rock County residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for hail 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.