Photo: Downspec · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Beaver Dam than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beaver Dam gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #115 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2008.
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 Beaver Dam 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 Beaver Dam’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Beaver Dam, and Beaver Dam’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 17% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
A #115 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Beaver Dam’s residents live in 5 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, Beaver Dam has less expected damage per building than 68% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.7M a year in losses across Beaver Dam: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Beaver Dam flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Beaver Dam, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm1 claim · $27K
Beaver Dam isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dodge County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Beaver Dam
Disasters that paid out in Beaver Dam itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Beaver Dam), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$29K to the City of Beaver Dam for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding197 households applied for aid$262K aid approved$399K to the City of Beaver Dam for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$27K to the City of Beaver Dam for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding76 households applied for aid$56K aid approved$40K to the City of Beaver Dam for repairs
Dodge County has had 10 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Beaver Dam after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Beaver Dam archive →Beaver Dam and its neighbors
Beaver Dam is 2nd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Beaver Dam | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Beaver Dam | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Westford | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Beaver Dam 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 Beaver Dam
Is Beaver Dam at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beaver Dam has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #115 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Beaver Dam flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Beaver Dam since 2008, $37K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Storm (1).
Is Beaver Dam 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 Dodge County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Beaver Dam?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Beaver Dam’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 Beaver Dam?
By FEMA money that reached Beaver Dam, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 197 households applied for aid, $262K approved, and $399K to the City of Beaver Dam for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 1 paid, $27K.
Is Beaver Dam at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Beaver Dam’s rate for it is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Beaver Dam.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Beaver Dam’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.