La Crosse, WI Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in La Crosse is about the same as Wisconsin average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in La Crosse is lower than Wisconsin average and is lower than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #365
| La Crosse, WI | 0.00 |
| Wisconsin | 0.00 |
| U.S. | 1.81 |
The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.
Volcano Index, #1
| La Crosse, WI | 0.0000 |
| Wisconsin | 0.0000 |
| U.S. | 0.0023 |
The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.
Tornado Index, #655
| La Crosse, WI | 111.16 |
| Wisconsin | 153.98 |
| U.S. | 136.45 |
The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.
Other Weather Extremes Events
A total of 3,059 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of La Crosse, WI were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:
| Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count |
| Avalanche: | 0 | Blizzard: | 15 | Cold: | 58 | Dense Fog: | 62 | Drought: | 17 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 307 | Hail: | 942 | Heat: | 39 | Heavy Snow: | 81 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 18 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 62 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 1,124 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 7 | Winter Storm: | 161 | Winter Weather: | 43 |
| Other: | 123 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near La Crosse, WI.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near La Crosse, WI.
No historical earthquake events found in or near La Crosse, WI.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 43 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near La Crosse, WI.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 1.8 | 1961-05-14 | 2 | 43°48'N / 91°13'W | 1.00 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | La Crosse | |
| 9.6 | 1965-05-05 | 3 | 43°51'N / 91°27'W | 43°55'N / 91°21'W | 6.20 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Winona |
| 10.3 | 1957-04-19 | 2 | 43°58'N / 91°10'W | 43°58'N / 91°09'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | La Crosse | ||
| 10.5 | 1980-06-05 | 2 | 43°45'N / 91°04'W | 43°43'N / 91°03'W | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | La Crosse | ||
| 12.0 | 1965-05-05 | 3 | 43°55'N / 91°21'W | 44°04'N / 90°57'W | 22.20 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | La Crosse |
| 18.8 | 1965-05-05 | 3 | 43°41'N / 91°44'W | 43°51'N / 91°27'W | 18.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Houston |
| 19.9 | 1959-05-26 | 3 | 44°00'N / 91°25'W | 44°13'N / 91°11'W | 18.70 Miles | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Trempealeau |
| 20.5 | 1986-06-26 | 2 | 43°56'N / 90°53'W | 43°58'N / 90°49'W | 5.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Monroe |
| 21.8 | 1980-06-05 | 3 | 43°40'N / 91°13'W | 43°27'N / 90°46'W | 26.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Vernon |
| 23.0 | 1971-07-18 | 2 | 44°07'N / 91°00'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Monroe | |
| 26.9 | 1960-08-28 | 2 | 44°04'N / 90°48'W | 0.50 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Monroe | |
| 27.7 | 1988-05-08 | 2 | 43°45'N / 90°46'W | 44°08'N / 90°37'W | 27.00 Miles | 800 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Monroe |
| 29.0 | 1964-05-04 | 2 | 44°07'N / 90°57'W | 44°12'N / 90°47'W | 9.70 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Jackson |
| 31.9 | 1980-06-05 | 2 | 43°58'N / 91°51'W | 43°53'N / 91°51'W | 5.70 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Winona |
| 33.8 | 2005-08-18 | 2 | 43°31'N / 90°46'W | 43°31'N / 90°38'W | 7.00 Miles | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 800K | 194K | Vernon |
| Brief Description: Six tornadoes affected southwest Wisconsin, which was part of an all-time one day record of 27 tornadoes hitting the state. The first tornado touched down briefly just west of Centerville (Trempealeau County). The only damage reported with this tornado was several trees knocked down just north of Highway 35 along County Road G. A second and stronger tornado occurred just north of County Highway KK, or just west of Esofea (Vernon County). There was tree, agricultural and structural damage. A moblie home, which was on cement blocks, was completely destroyed. The occupant of the mobile home was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. Another residence sustained minor damage, with windows blown out, outbuildings destroyed and a car turned 90 degrees. Power poles were snapped, corn was flattened and there was significant tree damage. The third and strongest tornado touched down just west of Liberty (Vernon County), then tracked along a continous path just north of Highway 56, to the northern most block of the town of Viola (Richland County). Three people were reported injured in Viola and almost every tree in the town was damaged or downed. Most homes in the village had at least minor damage, while a few sustained major damage, including roofs blown off. Many garages facing west or southwest were destroyed by the direct impact of the winds. Wind speeds associated with the tornado were estimated at 100 to 120 mph. The tornado path became more sporadic as it moved east of Viola across northern Richland County. The damage path extended from just north of County Highway MM and Highway 56 into Bloom City (Richland County), which apparently took a direct hit from the storm. The tornado continued on an east-southeast track, before lifting just west of Hub City (Richland County). A fourth tornado touched down along County Road N, or just east of the location where Interstate 90 and 94 split in eastern Monroe County. This tornado continued on a 10 mile track into Juneau County, ending just west of the Necedah Wildlife Refuge Headquarters. There was tree, agricultural and structural damage. A home, which was under construction, was completely destroyed. Three other homes sustained minor damage. Corn was flattened and there was significant tree damage as well. A fifth tornado touched down in the town of Muscoda (Grant County) causing minor damage to homes, but knocking down or shearing off numerous trees. This tornado crossed the Wisconsin River into the small community of Orion (Richland County). Several mobile homes were damaged, including several reportedly tossed into the air. Many trees were damaged there as well. The sixth and final tornado briefly touched down near the intersection of Highway 82 and 13 in Adams County. Mobile homes were damaged, along with nearby trees. Richland and Vernon County were declared federal disaster areas. | |||||||||||
| 34.1 | 1999-07-08 | 2 | 44°00'N / 91°54'W | 43°58'N / 91°51'W | 3.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 2 | 2.0M | 60K | Winona |
| Brief Description: A tornado touched down just northwest of Lewiston (Winona County), then moved into the middle of town and intensified. Numerous homes along Main Street had extensive damage with broken windows, damaged roofs and downed trees. One home had the entire roof taken off, while at least 4 cars were demolished from debris landing on them. A farm southeast of town had every building destroyed, except the house. Of the 1,300 population in Lewiston, only two people sustained minor injuries. Elsewhere across southeast Minnesota, spotters and law enforcement officials reported hail up to 2 inches in diameter along with trees and power lines knocked down. | |||||||||||
| 35.3 | 1968-03-27 | 2 | 44°18'N / 91°21'W | 44°22'N / 91°16'W | 5.70 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Trempealeau |
| 35.7 | 1964-05-04 | 2 | 43°15'N / 91°04'W | 43°25'N / 90°57'W | 12.60 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Crawford |
| 36.3 | 1965-05-05 | 3 | 43°30'N / 92°01'W | 43°41'N / 91°44'W | 18.80 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 6 | 2.5M | 0 | Fillmore |
| 36.4 | 1964-05-08 | 2 | 43°26'N / 90°43'W | 43°30'N / 90°40'W | 4.50 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Vernon |
| 37.6 | 1979-05-10 | 2 | 43°59'N / 90°30'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Monroe | |||
| 37.9 | 1959-05-04 | 2 | 44°19'N / 90°53'W | 1.00 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Jackson | |
| 38.5 | 1964-05-08 | 2 | 43°30'N / 90°40'W | 43°33'N / 90°29'W | 9.30 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Richland |
| 38.9 | 1964-05-04 | 2 | 43°13'N / 91°12'W | 43°19'N / 91°04'W | 9.20 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Allamakee |
| 39.5 | 1954-06-18 | 2 | 44°23'N / 91°02'W | 44°20'N / 90°50'W | 10.20 Miles | 900 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Jackson |
| 41.5 | 1953-05-10 | 4 | 44°00'N / 92°05'W | 44°12'N / 91°51'W | 17.80 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 5 | 2.5M | 0 | Winona |
| 42.3 | 1964-05-08 | 2 | 43°33'N / 90°29'W | 43°38'N / 90°24'W | 6.50 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Richland |
| 42.5 | 2005-08-18 | 2 | 43°30'N / 90°40'W | 43°28'N / 90°22'W | 13.00 Miles | 40 Yards | 0 | 3 | 2.5M | 75K | Richland |
| Brief Description: Six tornadoes affected southwest Wisconsin, which was part of an all-time one day record of 27 tornadoes hitting the state. The first tornado touched down briefly just west of Centerville (Trempealeau County). The only damage reported with this tornado was several trees knocked down just north of Highway 35 along County Road G. A second and stronger tornado occurred just north of County Highway KK, or just west of Esofea (Vernon County). There was tree, agricultural and structural damage. A moblie home, which was on cement blocks, was completely destroyed. The occupant of the mobile home was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. Another residence sustained minor damage, with windows blown out, outbuildings destroyed and a car turned 90 degrees. Power poles were snapped, corn was flattened and there was significant tree damage. The third and strongest tornado touched down just west of Liberty (Vernon County), then tracked along a continous path just north of Highway 56, to the northern most block of the town of Viola (Richland County). Three people were reported injured in Viola and almost every tree in the town was damaged or downed. Most homes in the village had at least minor damage, while a few sustained major damage, including roofs blown off. Many garages facing west or southwest were destroyed by the direct impact of the winds. Wind speeds associated with the tornado were estimated at 100 to 120 mph. The tornado path became more sporadic as it moved east of Viola across northern Richland County. The damage path extended from just north of County Highway MM and Highway 56 into Bloom City (Richland County), which apparently took a direct hit from the storm. The tornado continued on an east-southeast track, before lifting just west of Hub City (Richland County). A fourth tornado touched down along County Road N, or just east of the location where Interstate 90 and 94 split in eastern Monroe County. This tornado continued on a 10 mile track into Juneau County, ending just west of the Necedah Wildlife Refuge Headquarters. There was tree, agricultural and structural damage. A home, which was under construction, was completely destroyed. Three other homes sustained minor damage. Corn was flattened and there was significant tree damage as well. A fifth tornado touched down in the town of Muscoda (Grant County) causing minor damage to homes, but knocking down or shearing off numerous trees. This tornado crossed the Wisconsin River into the small community of Orion (Richland County). Several mobile homes were damaged, including several reportedly tossed into the air. Many trees were damaged there as well. The sixth and final tornado briefly touched down near the intersection of Highway 82 and 13 in Adams County. Mobile homes were damaged, along with nearby trees. Richland and Vernon County were declared federal disaster areas. | |||||||||||
| 42.8 | 1957-04-19 | 3 | 43°44'N / 90°26'W | 43°50'N / 90°18'W | 9.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Monroe |
| 43.2 | 1982-05-17 | 2 | 43°58'N / 92°05'W | 44°12'N / 91°57'W | 14.00 Miles | 800 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Winona |
| 43.7 | 1982-05-17 | 2 | 44°12'N / 91°57'W | 44°13'N / 91°54'W | 3.00 Miles | 800 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Wabasha |
| 43.7 | 1980-06-05 | 2 | 43°43'N / 91°03'W | 42°42'N / 91°01'W | 70.20 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Vernon |
| 44.0 | 1953-05-10 | 4 | 44°12'N / 91°51'W | 44°36'N / 91°22'W | 36.40 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Buffalo |
| 44.2 | 1982-05-17 | 2 | 44°13'N / 91°54'W | 44°20'N / 91°49'W | 9.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 3 | 2.5M | 0 | Buffalo |
| 44.4 | 1985-08-12 | 2 | 43°47'N / 90°22'W | 43°50'N / 90°18'W | 5.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Monroe |
| 44.7 | 1987-07-29 | 2 | 43°13'N / 91°38'W | 43°14'N / 91°29'W | 7.00 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Allamakee |
| 45.2 | 1966-07-10 | 2 | 44°26'N / 91°00'W | 44°27'N / 90°50'W | 7.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 3 | 25K | 0 | Jackson |
| 45.4 | 1953-05-10 | 4 | 43°51'N / 92°10'W | 44°00'N / 92°05'W | 10.80 Miles | 33 Yards | 1 | 6 | 2.5M | 0 | Olmsted |
| 45.7 | 1979-08-09 | 2 | 43°39'N / 90°22'W | 43°39'N / 90°19'W | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Vernon | ||
| 46.2 | 1987-07-29 | 2 | 43°16'N / 91°43'W | 43°13'N / 91°38'W | 3.00 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Winneshiek |
| 46.3 | 1964-05-23 | 2 | 44°27'N / 91°20'W | 44°32'N / 90°54'W | 21.90 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Trempealeau |
| 49.4 | 1959-05-26 | 3 | 44°28'N / 91°06'W | 44°35'N / 90°56'W | 11.30 Miles | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Jackson |
| 49.7 | 1965-05-05 | 4 | 43°25'N / 92°05'W | 43°27'N / 92°02'W | 2.30 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Winneshiek |
* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.