Photo: Thomas R Machnitzki ([email protected]) · CC BY 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in Madison
Madison isn’t graded for hazard risk: Madison has 476 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1978.
What Madison faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
Ice storms
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
Does Madison flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Madison, from FEMA’s records.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $15K
Madison isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Francis County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Madison
Disasters that paid out in Madison itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Madison), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding22 households applied for aid$63K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding40 households applied for aid$101K aid approved$13K to the City of Madison for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$47K to the City of Madison for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$17K to the City of Madison for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$4K to the City of Madison for repairs
St. Francis County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Madison after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Madison archive →Get ready for what Madison faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Madison
Does Madison flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Madison since 1978, $19K in all. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Madison in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In St. Francis County, 1.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Madison?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Madison’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Madison?
By FEMA money that reached Madison, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding (2011): 40 households applied for aid, $101K approved, and $13K to the City of Madison for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $15K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Madison.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Madison’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.