Natural Disaster Risk in Waterford

Natural Hazard Profile: Waterford, Wisconsin

Waterford, in Racine County, is a city of approximately 18,560 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 Waterford residents and property owners must navigate.

Waterford's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.8/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. 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. Secondary hazards include tornado and coastal flood.

Within Wisconsin, Waterford's risk is, slightly above the 5.4/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Racine County identifies cold wave as the foremost hazard, followed by tornado and coastal flood. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Waterford 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.