Portage County, Wisconsin Hazard Report | Natural Catastrophe And Climate Risk

HazardDB

Hazard Score

115 Catastrophes Recorded

Historical_Hail

Historical_Tornadoes

Historical_Hurricanes

Historical_Floods

Historical_Wind

Portage County, Wisconsin

2 Cities with a Population of 72,255, and 27,814 Households

Portage, Wisconsin, has a relatively low overall risk score of 58.61, with specific risks including hail, thunderstorms, and winter weather events. The area has a high wind risk, with a score of 63.82, and a moderate risk of hail and thunderstorms with scores of 89.06 and 53.67, respectively. The region has seen 95 severe wind events and 639 lightning events historically, contributing to its risk profile.

Portage is located near water bodies like Lake Wisconsin and the Wisconsin River, increasing the risk of flooding and severe weather events. The area also has fault lines and mountain peaks that can exacerbate natural disasters. For example, the Wisconsin River Valley is prone to flooding, with the potential for significant damage to infrastructure and property. Additionally, the region's proximity to the Great Lakes can lead to lake-effect snowstorms and extreme cold weather events.

Overall, Portage, Wisconsin, faces a range of natural disaster risks due to its geographic features and climate factors. The area's history of severe weather events, including hail, thunderstorms, and floods, highlights the need for robust disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts. Local authorities should prioritize measures to enhance resilience to wind, water, and winter weather hazards to protect the community and infrastructure from potential disasters.

Wildfire Risk: Very Low

Tornado Risk: Low

Hurricane Risk: Very Low

Hail Risk: Very Low

Flood Risk: Very Low

Tsunami Risk: Very Low

Earthquake Risk: Very Low

Wind Risk: Low

HAZARDS

33

Power Transmission Lines

0

Coastlines

14

Water Bodies

0

Fault Lines

EMERGENCY SERVICES

12

Hazard Shelters

15

Fire Stations

2

Hospitals

2

Police Stations

COMMUNITY PROFILE

Portage County, located in Wisconsin, has a population of 72,255 with a population density of 87.8 people per square mile. The county has a diverse demographic makeup, with the majority of residents being White (91.2%), followed by Asian (2.7%), Hispanic (2.6%), and Multiracial individuals (1.2%). The median age in Portage County is 35.7, with a fairly even distribution between males (48.4%) and females (48.5%). The county has a total of 27,814 households, with an average household size of 2.39 and an average family size of 2.92.

In comparison to other counties in Wisconsin, Portage County has a slightly higher population density and a larger percentage of White residents. It also has a higher percentage of Asian residents compared to the state average. The median age in Portage County is slightly lower than the state average of 39.3 years. Additionally, the county has a higher average household size and average family size compared to the state average of 2.45 and 2.97, respectively. In terms of agricultural statistics, Portage County has a total of 982 farms, with an average farm size of 286 acres and a total of 207,120 crop acres in 2017. The average sale per farm in 2017 was $285,660.

Sources:
- U.S. Census Bureau
- Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

Regions

CLIMATE OVERVIEW

Average Temperature

7 °F Cold

Average Precipitation

823 mm Moderate

Average Humidity

82% Moderately High

Plant Hardiness

4/10 Moderate

NATURAL CATASTROPHE TIMELINE

Flooding

Heavy Rain