Photo: Corey Coyle · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Belleville than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Belleville gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #142 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2018.
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 Belleville 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 Belleville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Belleville, and Belleville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
A #142 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Belleville’s residents live in 2 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, Belleville has less expected damage per building than 61% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Belleville: $782K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Belleville flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Belleville, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Belleville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dane County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Belleville
Disasters that paid out in Belleville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Belleville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides17 households applied for aid$54K aid approved$348K to the Village of Belleville for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$4K to the Village of Belleville for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$10K to the Village of Belleville for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$5K to the Village of Belleville for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding30 households applied for aid$76K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$704 aid approved
Show all 7
- 2000Snow$3K to the Village of Belleville for repairs
Dane County has had 16 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 Belleville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Belleville archive →Belleville and its neighbors
Belleville is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. 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 Belleville 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 Belleville
Is Belleville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Belleville has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #142 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Belleville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Belleville since 2018, $84K in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Belleville 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 Dane County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Belleville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Belleville’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 Belleville?
By FEMA money that reached Belleville, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides (2018): 17 households applied for aid, $54K approved, and $348K to the Village of Belleville for repairs.
Is Belleville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Belleville’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Belleville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Belleville’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.