Wausau, WI
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Wausau is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk — near the middle compared to other US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Marathon County, WI. The county's highest-rated hazards are cold wave, lightning, and hail.
Storm events near Wausau
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Wausau's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Wausau itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Marathon County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Wausau along with the rest of the county, not a Wausau-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 40.1 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 87.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 18 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 62.8 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 83.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 98.4 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 0 | No Rating |
| Hail | 91.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 0 | No Rating |
| Ice Storm | 59 | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | 59.5 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 95.2 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 57 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 71.3 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Marathon County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Marathon County:
More on Marathon County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Wausau, WI at risk of?
Wausau is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — near the middle compared to other US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Marathon County, where Wausau is located, are cold wave, lightning, and hail.
What is Wausau's biggest natural hazard risk?
Cold Wave is the highest-rated hazard for Marathon County, where Wausau is located, scoring 98.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Wausau a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — Wausau carries near the middle compared to other US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Moderate" for Marathon County.
Has Wausau had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 9 tornado, 74 hail, 9 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Wausau since 2016.