Natural Disaster Risk in Vilas County

Natural Hazard Profile: Vilas County, Wisconsin

Vilas County is located in the United States in Wisconsin, home to roughly 23,031 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.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Vilas County carries an overall risk score of 5.0/10, placing it in the moderate category. Extreme cold snaps top the local risk profile, with Arctic front passages causing rapid and severe temperature drops that challenge both infrastructure and outdoor safety. The area also faces notable exposure to wind and winter.

Vilas County'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.

Vilas County'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.