Photo: Royalbroil · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Cross Plains than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cross Plains gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #345 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims 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 Cross Plains 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 Cross Plains’ grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cross Plains, and Cross Plains’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
C #345 of 362 in Wisconsin; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Cross Plains’ 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, Cross Plains has more expected damage per building than 95% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Cross Plains: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cross Plains flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cross Plains, from FEMA’s records: 7.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Cross Plains 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cross Plains
Disasters that paid out in Cross Plains itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Cross Plains), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides197 households applied for aid$603K aid approved$210K to the Village of Cross Plains for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$7K to the Village of Cross Plains for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding21 households applied for aid$48K aid approved$23K to the Village of Cross Plains for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$7K to the Village of Cross Plains for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2000Snow$2K to the Village of Cross Plains for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$6K to the Village of Cross Plains for repairs
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 Cross Plains after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cross Plains archive →Cross Plains and its neighbors
Cross Plains is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berry | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Cross Plains | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Cross Plains | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
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 Cross Plains 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 Cross Plains
Is Cross Plains at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cross Plains has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #345 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and tornadoes (6%). 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 Cross Plains flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Cross Plains since 2001, $803K in all, or 7.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Cross Plains 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 Cross Plains?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cross Plains’ 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 Cross Plains?
By FEMA money that reached Cross Plains, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides (2018): 197 households applied for aid, $603K approved, and $210K to the Village of Cross Plains for repairs.
Is Cross Plains at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Cross Plains’ rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cross Plains.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cross Plains’ 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.