Photo: LeeG7144 · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Madison than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Madison gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #160 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1989.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
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
Tornadoes
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.
What’s behind Madison’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Madison, and Madison’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A #160 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Madison’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Ohio town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Madison has less expected damage per building than 84% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $577K a year in losses across Madison: $478K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Madison flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Madison, from FEMA’s records: 9.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms4 claims · $62K
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: Lake County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Madison
Disasters that paid out in Madison itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Madison), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$10K to the Village of Madison for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding328 households applied for aid$586K aid approved$147K to the Village of Madison for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Lake County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. 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.
- 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.
- 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
Is Madison at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Madison has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #160 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (8%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Madison flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Madison since 1989, $226K in all, or 9.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (4).
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 Lake County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
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, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding (2006): 328 households applied for aid, $586K approved, and $147K to the Village of Madison for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 4 paid, $62K.
Is Madison at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Madison’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
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.