Photo: Tgkrause · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Brodhead than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brodhead gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #211 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then hail (17%). 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 Brodhead 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
Hail
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 Brodhead’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brodhead, and Brodhead’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 17%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #211 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brodhead’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, Brodhead has more expected damage per building than 58% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Brodhead: $902K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brodhead flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Brodhead. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Brodhead isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Green County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brodhead
Disasters that paid out in Brodhead itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Brodhead), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$7K to the City of Brodhead for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding85 households applied for aid$112K aid approved$47K to the City of Brodhead for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$8K to the City of Brodhead for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding20 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2000Snow$4K to the City of Brodhead for repairs
Green County has had 14 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 Brodhead after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brodhead archive →Brodhead and its neighbors
Brodhead is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Brodhead | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Spring Valley | — | 633 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 Brodhead 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.
- 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.
- 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 Brodhead
Is Brodhead at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brodhead has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #211 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and hail (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Brodhead 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 Green County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brodhead?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brodhead’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 Brodhead?
By FEMA money that reached Brodhead, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 85 households applied for aid, $112K approved, and $47K to the City of Brodhead for repairs.
Is Brodhead at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Brodhead’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brodhead.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brodhead’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.