Arcadia Free Public Library · Photo: Jon Roanhaus · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Arcadia’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arcadia gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #331 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 26 claims here since 1992.
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 Arcadia 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
Hail
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 Arcadia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Arcadia, and Arcadia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #331 of 362 in Wisconsin; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Arcadia’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Wisconsin town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Arcadia has more expected damage per building than 91% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Arcadia: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Arcadia flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Arcadia, from FEMA’s records: 19.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Arcadia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Trempealeau County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Arcadia
Disasters that paid out in Arcadia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Arcadia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud$236K to the City of Arcadia for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$97K to the City of Arcadia for repairs14 flood claims paid that year
Trempealeau County has had 12 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 Arcadia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Arcadia archive →Get ready for what Arcadia 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Arcadia
Is Arcadia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arcadia has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #331 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) 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 Arcadia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in Arcadia since 1992, $1.4M in all, or 19.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Arcadia 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 Trempealeau County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Arcadia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Arcadia’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 Arcadia?
By FEMA money that reached Arcadia, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud (2017): $236K to the City of Arcadia for repairs.
Is Arcadia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Arcadia’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Arcadia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Arcadia’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.