Photo: Billertl · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Ashland than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ashland gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #2 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Ashland 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
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 Ashland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ashland, and Ashland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts. Lightning adds 2%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #2 of 362 in Wisconsin; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ashland’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Wisconsin town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Ashland has less expected damage per building than 100% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Ashland: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ashland flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Ashland. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Ashland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ashland County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ashland
Disasters that paid out in Ashland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ashland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$300 aid approved
- 2018Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$95K to the City of Ashland for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$273K to the City of Ashland for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Flooding$3K to the City of Ashland for repairs
- 2001Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes$7K to the City of Ashland for repairs
- 1999Wi-flood-07/20/99$6K to the City of Ashland for repairs
Ashland County has had 11 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 Ashland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ashland archive →Ashland and its neighbors
Ashland has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Ashland 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.
- 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 Ashland
Is Ashland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ashland has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #2 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Ashland 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 Ashland County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Ashland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ashland’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 Ashland?
By FEMA money that reached Ashland, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): $273K to the City of Ashland for repairs.
Is Ashland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Ashland’s rate for it is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ashland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ashland’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.