La Crosse County on the Mississippi River in western Wisconsin faces serious flooding risk in the bluff-lined river valley. The 2019 and other major Mississippi floods caused significant damage. The city of La Crosse is wedged between the Mississippi River and steep bluffs creating complex flood channeling and limited evacuation terrain. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse creates institutional emergency planning requirements.
// Preparedness Recommendations
- Evacuation routes inland should be identified in advance.
- Store at least 72 hours of food and water.
- Elevate critical belongings above flood level.
- Have backup power ready in case of grid failure.
// Recommended Supplies
Essential gear for power outages, severe weather, and emergency situations in your area.
- Emergency Food Supplies
- Water Filtration & Storage
- Backup Generator
- Solar Backup Power
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// Risk Intelligence
| Threat Score | 6 / 10 Moderate Risk |
| Primary Hazard | Tornado / Mississippi River Flooding |
| Secondary Hazard | Winter Storm |
| FEMA Flood Zone | High |
| Federally Declared Disasters | 7 |
| Last Major Event | 2019 Flooding |
| Event Frequency | Annual |
// Emergency Operations
| Emergency Mgmt Phone | (608) 785-9700 |
| Emergency Shelters | 8 designated facilities |
| Evacuation Routes | I-90 US-61 WI-33 WI-35 |
// County Profile
| County | La Crosse County WI |
| State | Wisconsin (WI) |
| Population | 119 |
| Area | 454 sq miles |
| FEMA Region | High |