Photo: "Tichnor Quality Views," Reg. U. S. Pat. Off. Made Only by Tichnor Bros., Inc., Boston, Mass. · Public domainMadison’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Madison gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #8 of 35 in South Dakota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then tornadoes (27%). Flood insurance has paid 146 claims here since 1982.
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 stands out about Madison’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
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 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Madison, and Madison’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 27%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B #8 of 35 in South Dakota; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Madison’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical South Dakota town has higher expected damage than 58% of U.S. towns; within the state, Madison has less expected damage per building than 79% of South Dakota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.9M a year in losses across Madison: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Madison flood? Yes: 146 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Madison, from FEMA’s records: 50.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding31 claims · $320K
- The Severe flooding1 claim · $356
Madison is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Lake 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.
- 2022Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$430K to the City of Madison for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding371 households applied for aid$926K aid approved$6.3M to the City of Madison for repairs73 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Flooding$3K to the City of Madison for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$236K to the City of Madison for repairs
- 2010Flooding$10K to the City of Madison for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$5K to the City of Madison for repairs
Lake County has had 17 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 →Madison and its neighbors
Madison has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 146 |
| Lake View Township | — | 676 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Herman Township | — | 844 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Le Roy Township | — | 152 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
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.
- Madison residents get 10% off flood insurance.
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 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #8 of 35 in South Dakota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and tornadoes (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Madison flood?
Flood insurance has paid 146 claims in Madison since 1982, $3.4M in all, or 50.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 18 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (31).
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, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Madison?
Madison is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. 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 Flooding (2019): 371 households applied for aid, $926K approved, and $6.3M to the City of Madison for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 31 paid, $320K.
Is Madison at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Madison’s rate for it is lower than 61% 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.