Natural Disaster Risk in Whitelaw

Natural Hazard Profile: Whitelaw, Wisconsin

Whitelaw is a town of roughly 2,558 residents in Manitowoc County, in the Great Lakes region. The area experiences long, cold winters with lake-effect snow and warm summers, with severe blizzards and spring tornado outbreaks shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Whitelaw.

FEMA rates Whitelaw's composite natural disaster risk at 5.9 out of 10 — moderate 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 coastal flood and cold wave risk in their preparedness planning.

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

With a moderate risk rating, Whitelaw residents are well-served by maintaining standard preparedness practices — an emergency supply kit, awareness of local hazard seasonality, and insurance that covers the top local risks. Periodic review of coverage for hail is recommended.