Photo: Corey Coyle · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Cottage Grove’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cottage Grove gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #132 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (15%). 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 Cottage Grove 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 Cottage Grove’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cottage Grove, and Cottage Grove’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 15% (higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
A #132 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cottage Grove’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, Cottage Grove has less expected damage per building than 64% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Cottage Grove: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cottage Grove flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Cottage Grove. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Cottage Grove 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cottage Grove
Disasters that paid out in Cottage Grove itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Cottage Grove), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides6 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$12K to the Village of Cottage Grove for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding83 households applied for aid$134K aid approved$19K to the Village of Cottage Grove for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$13K to the Village of Cottage Grove for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
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 Cottage Grove after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cottage Grove archive →Cottage Grove and its neighbors
Cottage Grove is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun Prairie | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Cottage Grove | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Cottage Grove | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Cottage Grove 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 Cottage Grove
Is Cottage Grove at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cottage Grove has lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #132 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Cottage Grove 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 Cottage Grove?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cottage Grove’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 Cottage Grove?
By FEMA money that reached Cottage Grove, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 83 households applied for aid, $134K approved, and $19K to the Village of Cottage Grove for repairs.
Is Cottage Grove at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Cottage Grove’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cottage Grove.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cottage Grove’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.