Photo: VazDrae · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Black Earth’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Black Earth gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1993.
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 Black Earth 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 Black Earth’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Black Earth, and Black Earth’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 7% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Black Earth’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Black Earth: $744K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Black Earth flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Black Earth, from FEMA’s records: 17.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm1 claim · $4K
Black Earth 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 Black Earth
Disasters that paid out in Black Earth itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Black Earth), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides104 households applied for aid$480K aid approved$226K to the Village of Black Earth for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$5K to the Village of Black Earth for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$21K to the Village of Black Earth for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$3K to the Village of Black Earth for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$5K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Snow$2K to the Village of Black Earth for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$2K to the Village of Black Earth 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 Black Earth after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Black Earth archive →Get ready for what Black Earth 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 Black Earth
Is Black Earth at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Black Earth has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and tornadoes (7%). 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 Black Earth flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Black Earth since 1993, $264K in all, or 17.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (1).
Is Black Earth 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 Black Earth?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Black Earth’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 Black Earth?
By FEMA money that reached Black Earth, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides (2018): 104 households applied for aid, $480K approved, and $226K to the Village of Black Earth for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Black Earth at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Black Earth’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Black Earth.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Black Earth’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.