Photo: Jonathunder · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Boscobel faces more hazard damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Boscobel gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #342 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Boscobel 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
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 Boscobel’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Boscobel, and Boscobel’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
C #342 of 362 in Wisconsin; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Boscobel’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, Boscobel has more expected damage per building than 94% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Boscobel: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Boscobel flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Boscobel, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Boscobel isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Grant County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Boscobel
Disasters that paid out in Boscobel itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Boscobel), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides2 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$78K to the City of Boscobel for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$13K to the City of Boscobel for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding26 households applied for aid$45K aid approved$7K to the City of Boscobel for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding19 households applied for aid$37K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$4K to the City of Boscobel for repairs
Grant County has had 17 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 Boscobel after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Boscobel archive →Boscobel and its neighbors
Boscobel has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boscobel | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Boscobel | — | 510 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Watterstown | — | 397 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Boscobel 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.
- 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 Boscobel
Is Boscobel at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Boscobel has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #342 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (10%). 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 Boscobel flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Boscobel since 2008, $30K in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Boscobel 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 Grant County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Boscobel?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Boscobel’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 Boscobel?
By FEMA money that reached Boscobel, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2013): $78K to the City of Boscobel for repairs.
Is Boscobel at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Boscobel’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Boscobel.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Boscobel’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.