FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Campbell than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Campbell gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #239 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then hail (13%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2001.
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 Campbell 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 Campbell’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Campbell, and Campbell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 13%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #239 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Campbell’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, Campbell has more expected damage per building than 66% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Campbell: $976K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Campbell flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Campbell, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding1 claim · $2K
Campbell isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: La Crosse County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Campbell
Disasters that paid out in Campbell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Campbell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2001Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes$148K to the Town of Campbell for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
La Crosse County has had 15 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 Campbell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Campbell archive →Campbell and its neighbors
Campbell is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Crosse | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 76 |
| Campbell | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Onalaska | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| La Crescent Township | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
| French Island | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Dresbach Township | — | 407 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| New Hartford Township | — | 817 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 Campbell 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 Campbell
Is Campbell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Campbell has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #239 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and hail (13%). 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 Campbell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Campbell since 2001, $2K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Severe flooding (1).
Is Campbell 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 La Crosse County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Campbell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Campbell’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 Campbell?
By FEMA money that reached Campbell, Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2001): $148K to the Town of Campbell for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Campbell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Campbell’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Campbell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Campbell’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.