Photo: I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby publish it under the following license: · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Burlington faces less hazard damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burlington gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #260 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1979.
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 stands out about Burlington’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Burlington 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 Burlington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Burlington, and Burlington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
B #260 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Burlington’s residents live in 4 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, Burlington has more expected damage per building than 72% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across Burlington: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Burlington flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Burlington, 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.
- The 2026-04-Flooding1 claim · $4K
Burlington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Racine County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Burlington
Disasters that paid out in Burlington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Burlington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$8K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$26K to the City of Burlington for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding34 households applied for aid$32K aid approved
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$22K to the City of Burlington for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding33 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2000Snow$14K to the City of Burlington for repairs
Racine County has had 14 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 Burlington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Burlington archive →Burlington and its neighbors
Burlington is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lyons | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Burlington | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Spring Prairie | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Burlington | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Browns Lake | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Burlington 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 Burlington
Is Burlington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burlington has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #260 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Burlington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Burlington since 1979, $559K in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2026-04-Flooding (1).
Is Burlington 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 Racine County, 46% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Burlington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Burlington’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 Burlington?
By FEMA money that reached Burlington, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 34 households applied for aid, $32K approved. By flood claims, 2026-04-Flooding: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Burlington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Burlington’s rate for it is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Burlington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Burlington’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.